Janice Sztabnik

My work explores relationships in all their forms. Elements within my oil paintings symbolize psychological connections and narratives about self, shadow self, and the people I spend much time with. I am influenced by current culture and by moments or experiences that trigger emotional responses or spark curiosity. When I begin a painting, I don’t start with fixed imagery or a clear plan; I occasionally reference personal photographs or imagery from the ongoing sketchbooks I maintain, allowing instinct, sensation, and materials to guide the process.
Emotions, reactions, and unresolved feelings often surface through the act of painting before I fully understand what they’re connected to. Each piece becomes a personal narrative, though it doesn’t need to be decoded. Painting—especially the human figure—allows me to explore and process life’s events, meaning, and my inner landscape through color, form, and gesture. I am fascinated by the way paint can embody sensation and emotion, and I often revisit and rework canvases to reflect how relationships evolve and renew over time. Human figures serve as conduits for universal experiences of connection, loss, identity, and time, inviting viewers to engage with feeling as much as imagery. I ...

MFA LIU Post, Brookville, NY
BFA School of Visual Arts, NYC