ARTIST STATEMENT
“Painting for me is a way of survival, but its also a way of relief. Within the past year, I’ve graduated college, anxiously awaited my career, and moved to a new city. Its been challenging, but the one thing that has kept me from missing the beautiful experiences of life is making art. When I paint, I mentally and physically slow down; all distractions are marked with vivid color and bold brushstrokes, and my world feels simpler.
After I graduated, I felt that I needed to keep a steady pace in figuring out what was to happen next. I felt as though I needed to find a job, move out, and start my life. This didn’t come so easily and I was letting myself down in ways I had never experienced before—I simply could not slow down. I never let myself enjoy four years of hard work and I was denying that the knowledge and skills I had obtained was worthy of something greater. It wasn’t until I was encouraged by my family to paint again that I began to appreciate my time.
Every morning I wake up and take the time to reflect on the happiness I’ve gotten back. I make a cup of coffee, walk around my little apartment, and then find myself in my favorite tiny corner of the world— my studio tucked in a small space of my bedroom. It’s not much, but it’s simple and makes me work harder to have an actual studio space one day.
Painting has truly allowed me to slow down and forget the stress of the world, even if its just for a couple of hours. “”Where Ever You Are”” is a visual statement of that inner peace and the gentle process that comes with each pour of pigment.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kelsie (she/her/hers) is a self-taught abstract painter living in Chicago. She graduated in 2020 from the University of Puget Sound with a BA in art history. A large source of her inspiration comes from the inspirational creatives that came before her.
By focusing on the relationship between color, spatial awareness, and time, every pour of pigment and brushstroke of paint is thoughtfully carried out with the hopes of creating a visually stimulating artwork. Whether it’s joy, confusion, or melancholy, she hopes to make you feel a particular sensation. Ultimately, the use of various medias and techniques within her abstract work convey the deep connection she experiences with the creative process.
Her work has been exhibited in online virtual galleries, a group show with Fulton Street Collective, and is currently on view at the Workbox office in the Gold Coast.
© Kelsie de la Ossa