Aileen McCourt (b. 1993) is a Bay Area artist who joined NIAD’s Virtual Studio in 2021. She arrived with an established drawing practice: atmospheric works on paper that she creates by layering pastel or watercolor in bold, sweeping marks. Aileen periodically rotates the paper to manipulate the scene from all angles. Masking tape and jewelry also feature as novel tools of her trade: she tapes off areas to create sharp, geometric shapes, and also etches thin, whispering lines into the surface using the rings on her fingers. Works from this series were included in the group exhibition Into the Brightness at the Oakland Museum of California.
While at NIAD, Aileen has also been nurturing her love of dance and music. She’s an active contributor to virtual offerings like Jam Session, Mixed-Media Performance, and Storytelling. Aileen continues to enrich these groups with personal stories and artistic inspirations, which include her Irish heritage, elaborate holiday festivities, hockey fan culture, and her love for family, dogs, and Elton John.
