Steve Pennisi

The discovery of my technique "Painting with Both Sides of the Paint" grew out of my desire to truly own something as an artist. Uncovering the hidden side of painting radically shifted my career. In my earlier work, I was frustrated knowing where the painting would end up. The rest of the process was just a matter of moving to the inevitable conclusion. I wanted to find a way to stay open and be continually surprised and engaged.

I discovered my technique one day when the corner of dry paint on my waxed paper disposable palette peeled up. When I peeled it off I was amazed at what I found on the hidden side of the paint. It revealed underlying gestural patterns previously hidden from the artist. It had a life and spontaneity that I had never seen before...
something that felt human but freed of any doubt or hesitation. So after many experiments I found that I could paint on this clear cellophane typically used for gift-wrapping, and when I glued it to the canvas the film would peel off, essentially creating printing plates. Plus if I liked what I was also doing on the visible surface, I could lay a piece of clear film on the wet paint and capture that image too.
This ability to utilize “both sides of the paint” gave me a fre...

University of Michigan

Solo Exhibitions

2016 Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center - Fort Myers, Florida
2016 Chico's Headquarters, Fort Myers, Florida
2015 Arts for ACT Gallery - Fort Myers, Florida

Juried Museum Exhibitions

2014 "Florida Contemporary" Baker Museum, Artis-Naples, Naples. Florida
2014 63rd Annual "All Florida" Boca Museum of Art, Boca Raton, Florida

Recent Exhibitions

2015 “All Florida Exhibition” - Lee County Alliance for the Arts. Fort Myers, Florida
2015 “Black & White Exhibition” - Lee County Alliance for the Arts. Fort Myers, Florida
2015 “National - Black & White Show” - Linus Galleries. Los Angeles, California
2015 “Stand Before Us” - FGCU Gallery - Fort Myers, Florida