Stefanie Sylvester

I get closest to authentic expression through the nonverbal vocabulary available in artmaking. Through painting and drawing I can access a state of flow, where my constant internal chatter is quieted and the curiosity of mark making guides the work. It allows transition to a more pre-verbal, primal mental space. I tend to think of the finished art pieces as outcomes of a meditative practice as much as an artistic practice.

My abstractions are a visual record of synthesis: making new connections and meaning from bits of information, typically including collaged materials from coloring books and expressive brushstrokes. My figurative work is an exercise in observation and understanding of space and form. It is rooted in curiosity but also provides structure and intentionality. Both modalities open me up to discovery and play, and ultimately, a sense of resolution.