Aimée Rolin Hoover is an American painter whose has devoted over 20 years to depicting animals and nature. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Aimée earned her art degree in 1992 from California State University, Long Beach. The first half of her professional career concentrated on elevating the budding genre of custom dog portraiture to that of human portraiture. Today, she finds inspiration in the world of fauna at large, from the most humble creatures to the most wild and endangered. Aimée currently works and lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband Scott, their dog Bjorn, and their cat, Sesame.
STATEMENT
From my earliest memories, I’ve been drawn to the natural world.
Childhood sketchbooks were packed with drawings of local wildlife. And many an afternoon were spent attempting to befriend those same inhabitants.
I initially attributed my exploration of animal imagery solely to my love for animals.
But as my artistic practice has developed, I’ve become aware of a deeper connection between animals, healing, and even my own sense of self.
Whether it’s a curious horse at a fenceline, or locking eyes with a coyote before she disappears in the brush, encounters with animals have always grounded me in the moment.
They’ve allowed me a wider awareness within my own life. And they do this effortlessly and automatically—more than meditation, more than any other intentional form of presence.
It’s in this respect that I find them truly magical.
I believe this is the superpower of animals (and nature): they possess the unique ability to anchor us in the present, helping us live more squarely in the moments of our own lives.
By inviting us to pay attention, moments as ordinary as playing with our dogs can serve as subtle but profound healing for those of us who share the human condition of overthinking.
Attempting to capturing the essence of these transformative encounters is at the core of my work.
“As we live an increasingly digital, indoor existence, I believe that reconnecting with the natural world outside—as well as bringing natural imagery inside—can help us restore balance to both our living spaces and our nervous systems.”
I use my subjects more as portals or conduits, inviting viewers to experience different feeling states such as serenity, joy, introspection, or curiosity.
As we live an increasingly digital, indoor existence, I believe that reconnecting with the natural world outside—as well as bringing natural imagery inside—can help us restore balance to both our living spaces and our nervous systems.
My hope is that my work might also serve as a reminder of the extraordinary diversity of our animal kingdom, our interconnectedness with all the creatures with whom we share our planet.
To hear more about Aimée’s story, feel free to listen to one of her podcast interviews below.
