An Artist's Journey of Passion and Healing
Born on the enchanting Hispaniola Island in Haiti, Guerda Faustin’s artistic journey began at a tender age. Surrounded by the vivid colors and rich culture of her homeland, she embarked on her creative path by exploring drawing and coloring alongside her older sisters. While her siblings ventured into various hobbies like music and crafts, Guerda remained unwavering in her dedication to visual arts.
Throughout her formative years, Guerda delved into a myriad of artistic mediums, experimenting with colored pencils, gouache, pastels, and acrylics. A pivotal moment arrived when, at the age of nine, she received a precious gift from one of her brother’s friends—an assortment of discarded oil paint tubes and worn-out brushes, accompanied by an art book. This unexpected treasure ignited her curiosity and drove her to use her school allowance to acquire art materials, magazines, and textbooks, further honing her skills.
At the age of 14, Guerda took a significant step by enrolling in Saturday art classes at the renowned “Centre d’art Haitien,” hoping to learn from experienced artists. However, the experience revealed a profound truth to her—the essence of art cannot be molded by formal techniques or instructions. Guerda understood that she was the sole creator of her art, and this realization fueled her self-taught artistic journey.
Guerda’s inspiration knew no bounds; she discovered beauty and goodness in every subject and aspect of her surroundings. Her early works beautifully captured the greatness of humanity and the environment, often painting nudes, Haitian landscapes, figures, still life, and portraits on her grandmother’s front porch in Port-au-Prince. Despite her unwavering passion for art, Guerda embarked on a different path when she attended the State University of Haiti, studying Psychology. However, in 1992, her life took an unexpected turn as she migrated to the United States to reunite with her mother. This transition proved challenging, as her new environment limited her ability to freely pursue her art and practice the violin, ultimately leading her to abandon the latter due to the noise.
Guerda’s journey in the United States led her to Kingsborough Community College, where she majored in Physical Therapy while pursuing her passion for art. In 1995, she took an intermediate art course as an elective, which opened a new chapter in her artistic career. Her professor, who also chaired the art department, recognized her exceptional talent and encouraged her to consider changing her major to art. Guerda’s exceptional talent shone through, earning her two awards for her artwork and sparking a dilemma about her career path.
Balancing her passion for art and the expectations of her family, who encouraged her to pursue higher education and stability in the sciences, Guerda made the decision to continue both paths. After earning an Associate degree in Physical Therapy, she pursued her academic journey at Long Island University, obtaining master’s degrees in biology and Occupational Therapy (OT). Guerda found her calling as a pediatric OT, providing early intervention services to children with various diagnoses and serving school-aged children within the educational system. Her career choice allowed her to incorporate elements of her art into her therapeutic interventions. Despite her demanding schedule, Guerda remained committed to her art, refusing to let it go.
As a therapist and an artist, Guerda’s approach to art became therapeutic, offering solace and harmony both to herself and others. Through her creations, she sought to heal the soul, give voice to the unheard, and express the emotions of those silenced by circumstances. Her art became a medium for immortalizing the stories of the marginalized, the sick, and the underprivileged, elevating the spirits of all art enthusiasts through its aesthetic beauty. Guerda Faustin’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of art and its capacity to heal and inspire.
At the 2019 Malverne annual artwalk, organized by the chamber of commerce, this picture holds great significance for me. On the far left and right, you can see two of my dearest fans: my sister Ginette and my mother Julie. Even during the final days of their time on this planet (my mother passed away in 2020, and Ginette in 2022), they continued to be devoted and incredibly supportive of my art.
In a heartfelt ceremony held on June 27, 2018, the Town of Hempstead took a moment to celebrate artistic excellence and cultural enrichment by presenting a prestigious citation to Guerda Faustin, a gifted and award-winning artist born on the picturesque island of Haiti…
Farah Louis NYC council member for the 45th district @ Brooklyn College during the Little Haiti film Festival
Mayor Eric Adams, who was the Borough President at the time, recognized my artistic talent during the 2018 Toussaint Louverture Symposium, which was organized by the HABNET Chamber of Commerce and held at Borough Hall in Brooklyn.
The Consulate General of France In New York will host an Haitian Art Exhibition on Saturday, June 11, 2022 to benefit the Haitian Roundtable. The exhibition will feature the artwork of 27 artists of Haitian descent and is part of the Printemps de la Francophonie global programming. All exhibited artwork will be for sale.
