The Many Layers of Isabella Cura
Data analyst by day, artist by night
In 2021, Isabella Cura visited her then partner in Portugal and painted a piece inspired by the trip. However, when she discovered her partner's infidelity, she took a knife to her canvas, slashing it multiple times in a raw act of emotion. As time went on, she decided to go back to the same canvas, ready for a fresh start. “I sewed the canvas back together and then painted over it”, Cura shared, “And throughout the year, every time I would think about what happened I would write the name of the woman. It was a way to put the energy somewhere and was very cathartic”. This therapeutic process resulted in "The Woman Destroyed / She Came to Stay," a powerful embodiment of Cura's ability to translate her energy onto the canvas.
As a Filipina-American, Cura’s journey was nurtured by parents who encouraged creativity yet valued practical career choices, typical of most immigrant families. "The creative path was never really an option for me," Cura confessed. Faced with choices between business school and engineering, she opted for the former, majoring in marketing and graphic design. However, after a taste of graphic design through an internship, Cura preferred her artistic expression to remain personal, rather that handing it over to the whims of a company . This led her to double down on the marketing route, eventually exploring the marketing data space and is now a growth data analyst at Brooklinen.
At Brooklinen, Cura not only found stability and a way to fund her art practice, but also a platform to explore her event planning skills. As a co-leader of their employee resource group for people of color, she curates meaningful events that connect the community to local artists.
A data analyst by day, an artist by night, and an event planner in between - there are no boxes that define Cura. Her art practice is grounded in the principles of art therapy. "I love how it removes the pressure of creating and gives you the freedom to express yourself or discover what you are feeling through what you are making," she elaborated. For Cura, it's all about trusting the process, not rushing towards the end result. She immerses herself in the nuances of each piece, capturing the spirit of a moment by mixing the perfect hue and drawing the perfect arc, losing herself in the meditative process.
The rolling mountains and hillside villas only tell part of her story. Cura’s personal sketches go level deeper, eliciting visceral emotions with every stroke. The dichotomy of her commissions and sketches feel like puzzle pieces coming together to tell Cura’s story. And I’m sure if you ask her, its still far from complete as she takes each day to chip off a little more of her own canvas.
In the coming year, Cura is keen on hosting her own show and organizing more events to unite people and culture. As she concludes, "Everyone is always going through something. My aim, through my art or events, is to help people live the lives they want."
Thank you Isabella for sharing your work and journey with us. If you are interested in her work or a commission, check out Isabella’s website for details.