Stephanie Thwaites

I find inspiration in nature — the freedom of its organic shapes, the endless variation of colors, the ever-changing light. But I am also drawn to architectural and geometric forms — their order, structure, and alignment. My work is often about seeking balance and harmony between these two influences.

From representational to abstract, I strive to create dynamic space that is intricate and
layered, but also grounded. I hope the viewer to look, and then look again more closely, and maybe even touch. But I do not want to overwhelm. I still want the painting to offer a resting place. For me, it is important to find moments of stillness within a landscape of complexity and activity.

I paint with oil and cold wax (a medium made of natural beeswax, resin, and solvent) because they complement my love of rich texture while also imparting a lovely translucent quality and matte finish. This encourages experimental approaches and allows for expressive mark-making and the ability to carve into paint layers. I almost never uses brushes in my work, instead favoring putty knives, squeegees, brayers, and other found tools.

I enjoy working intuitively and responsively, exploring different techniques and materials to uncover something u...

1985-1989
Yale College, B.A. - Fine Arts Major

1989
Yale Summer Program in Graphic Design, Brissago, Switzerland

2014-2018 Post graduate art courses at College of Marin

Solo/Special Exhibitions:
2018 “Passing Through” - Two-person show at The Mill, San Francisco, CA
2018 “Moments of Stillness” - Solo show at the Belvedere/Tiburon Library, Tiburon, CA
2017 “Along the Way” – Solo Show, Dutton Goldfield Winery, Sebastopol, CA
2012 “Collecting Light” – Solo Show, Dostie Bros. Fine Art and Frame, Burlington, VT

Selected Group Exhibitions and Awards:
2019 “Survey of Contemporary Encaustic” – Chaffey Museum, Ontario, CA, Juror: Matt Gleason
2018 “Memory & Perception” –Marin MOCA Fall National Exhibition, Juror: Alan Bamberger
2018 “tiny” - STUDIO Gallery, San Francisco
2018 “Art in an Age of Anxiety” – Sonoma Arts Guild - Juror: Chester Arnold
2018 “Green” – Sebastopol Center for the Arts - Juror: Chester Arnold
2018 “On the Road” – Marin Society of Artists - Juror: Donna Seager
2018 “Patterns” - SFWA (San Francisco Women Artists) - Juror: Judy Shintani
2018 “World of Abstractions” - SFWA (San Francisco Women Artists) - Juror: James Bazydola
2018 “Fresh Art” – Marin Society of Artists - Juror: Chester Arnold
2017 “Contemporary Landscape” Marin MOCA Fall National Exhibition – Juror: Chester Arnold
2017 “Small Works Exhibition” – Art Works Downtown – Juror: Julie Zener
2017 “Migration” –...