Aimee Mandala’s solo, “Blue Is Where the Heart Is” debuts at ShockBoxx Gallery in Hermosa Beach on Saturday, March 22nd at 6 P.M. Mandala, a Los Angeles based charcoal and graphite artist is often found toggling between smudging charcoal across a page with wildly blackened hands, to reigning in the loose with highly precise graphite renderings from a past life of those that came before her. In this exhibition, Mandala sets the stage with a body of work that explores the darker themes of life, impending death, and the isolation and uncertainty in between. Intimate, personal and soulful, "Blue is Where the Heart Is" offers viewers an immersive look through the worn window panes of Mandala’s narrative to find that the lone protagonist, floating amongst the scenes of quiet turmoil, is, in fact, not alone at all. Navigating a landscape of self truths, hard losses, and broken promises, this work’s exploration reveals an ever-present grace and sense of softness amongst strength that reassures the audience hope not only remains, but prevails. And like the stillness after a burn or the sun after the rain– Mandala brings you home to the warmth of a mother’s hug, the safety of a father’s steady guide and the beauty found in even the most treacherous of roads in the journey. Situated in the Cypress Arts District of Hermosa Beach, California, ShockBoxx Gallery serves as a pivotal center in the South Bay for artists, curators, collectors, and art aficionados to unite and promote the arts. Established in March 2017 by Mike Collins and Laura Schuler, ShockBoxx is celebrated for its group and solo exhibitions, which showcase a variety of emerging and established artists and offer a continuous flow of fresh artistic influence.