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Beatriz "Soco" Ocampo
Mixed Media Artist
I paint, construct sculpture, and quilt. As a self-taught artist working with acrylics, oils, and pastels, my work has been described by one critic as "colorful and expressionistic, with big brush strokes, reminiscent of 'primitive art.'" My sculptures are assemblages of everyday, free resources. I recycle many different materials. My efforts in this medium are nourished by New Orleans' quest for neighborhood and architectural preservation. The expression goes, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." In my case, one man's discard is this woman's art. Since 2000, my occupation has been restoring fine, handmade rugs and textiles. I have my own business, "Natural Weavings." Recently, I've been working with a quilt group that uses African-American designs and materials.
The O Bracelet Project: When my father went to Rwanda two years ago, I asked him to try to locate some women who did weaving or textile crafts so my quilting group could communicate with them and possibly share a quilt project. So when I was invited to participate in The O Bracelet Project, I was hooked. It was like a call from God. It was as if there was an invisible string connecting the ladies in Rwanda with all of us here. This project is a dream come true.
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