Shy Girl explores neurotypical traits that have kept me quiet for so long, and how my new diagnosed neurodivergent self makes more room to speak up.
Deep into the beginning stages of perimenopause and parenthood, I received my own ADHD diagnosis. While educating myself, I learned that my daydreaming flow (the curvy colors, obscure shapes, the layers and lights and darks) is similar to how I grew up: a strong sense of naivety, living in my own world, and good first impressions.
(Always give a good first impression, they tell you, especially if you’re a shy girl.)
In contrast, I despise first impressions. Small talk can be slightly painful, meeting new people is always uncomfortable, and social anxiety can run through the roof. If I speak, there’s a chance it involves measured bravery.
Fighting with my internal shy self, I am really good at one thing: Masking. Masking my neurodivergence functioned as a trained detriment and asset at the same time, but really didn’t reflect the true internal experience. I still do this. It’s a little annoying and I’m more aware of it. After decades of masking, and tweaking everything in my path to succeed and survive in a neurotypical world, I was doing things like writing in all caps simply because if I didn’t, I’d go too fast and you wouldn’t read my handwriting. My hand moved fast. My brain moved fast.
Fast, fast, fast! Slow down. Fast. Keep things measured.
(keep things measured, especially if you’re an undiagnosed girl)
I trained myself to be a calm clean-line, despite my nature.
These works are aligning the old with the new, clean (neurotypical pleasing) lines with loose (neurodivergent spontaneous) watercolor. Maybe these works are really about self acceptance and moving forward.
It turns out, I’m not really a shy girl. I’m just a socially anxious neurodivergent introverted woman who doesn’t feel apologetic for saying a few things we all know.
Aubrey teaches high school visual arts, residing in Portland/Beaverton, OR.
Artist contact: aubreykpark@gmail.com | Instagram: @aubreyparkart
EDUCATION
Lewis and Clark College, MAT, Art Education, Portland, OR, 2010.
University of Arizona, BFA, Fine Art, Tucson, AZ, 2005.
EXHIBITIONS
SOLO EXHIBITIONS/PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Shy Girl: Haven Coffee Co., March 1-March 31, Portland, OR, 2026.
SHE DID: Insomnia Coffee Co., October 2-October 30st, Beaverton, OR, 2023.
Flukes & Flora: CoffeeHouse Northwest, October 1-October 31st, Portland, OR, 2016.
Follow: Your Tears, Arbor Lodge, Feb 28th-April 2nd, Portland, OR 2016.
Bowen Island Series, private collection, Remedy, Portland, OR, 2015.
Saints, Foxfarm Winery Gallery, Newburg, OR, 2011.
Flood the Desert Art Fashion Show - featured artist - MonOrchid Gallery, Phoenix, AZ, 2006.
One Night Exhibit, Eternal Books, Scottsdale, AZ, 2005.
GROUP EXHIBITIONS/PERFORMANCE ART/FEATURES
In This Moment, Maryhill Art Museum, Goldendale, WA 2025. Awarded Juror’s Choice Award
The Way I See It, Maryhill Art Museum, Goldendale, WA, 2024. Awarded First Place Award
A Response to Our Oceans: A Collection curated by Adrian Grenier - Group Digital Show, Miami, Florida, December 2015.
8"x8" Artist Challenge Group Show, George R. White Gallery, Concordia University, Portland, OR 2015.
MTV Real World, House Stage Art, Portland, OR, 2012.
Maple Co-show w/Kat Lawlis, Portland, OR, 2012.
TWCTD, Steven Goldman Gallery, Art Institute of Portland, OR, 2012.
Evergreen Community Art Show, Portland, OR, 2009.
OCCV Human Trafficking Prevention Art Show, Portland, OR, 2007.
Nobility Obliged Concert, performance art, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2006.
Installation Art, The Fremont House, Tucson, AZ, 2005.
Senior BFA Exhibition, The University of Arizona Student Gallery, Tucson, AZ, 2005.