Timolyn Esson

As an artist, I am always asked what inspires me. I find it is usually the small and ordinary things I happen upon in my daily life. These simple insights change as quickly as my children grow out of their jeans, but I have found a common thread through them all.

I love vibrant colors. I love the feel of a new box of Crayolas. My favorite is the 96-pack with built in sharpener. I remember the first day of each new school year and the ultimate day when Magenta was gone.

I love every inch of a child. Their faces. Their eyes. Their hands. I love their simple gestures and unabashed moods. I love freckles, curly hair and crazy teeth.

I love that moment of pure innocence. It is hard to find in the hectic society we all live in, but when I come upon it, it takes over the moment and simplifies my life, if only for that moment.

I love natural light. I used to hate when my mom yelled "it's time to come inside". Everything is more beautiful when the sun is out.

I create mixed-media pieces by embedding photographs in either acrylic paint or encaustic wax. My pieces are bright and colorful, and evoke a sense of whimsy.

Lately, I have created pieces without embedded photography, as a way of releasing myself from m...

Bachelor of Fine Arts, emphasis in Photography, University of Colorado at
Boulder, 2007

Open Studios Pop Gallery, Boulder Colorado, 2020
The Front Steps Project, Photography Project Benefiting the Pandemic, Boulder Colorado, 2020
Open Walls, ¬Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder Colorado 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010
Open Studios Artist, Boulder Colorado, 2015, 2013
Cartwheels, pARTicular Gallery, Lafayette Colorado, 2013, 2012
The Big Deal, Swope Art Museum, Terre Haute Indiana 2012, 2010
Childish Endeavors, Boulder County Arts Alliance “Art on the Walls”, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Boulder Colorado 2009
Childish Endeavors, Vail Public Library, Vail Colorado 2009
Emmetropia, University of Colorado Fine Art Museum, Boulder Colorado 2007
Beauty, Sibell Wolle Fine Arts Building, University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado 2006

Special Collections
Special Collections, Norlin Library, University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado –
In The Moment, Group Portfolio, 2006
Special Collections, Norlin Library, University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado –
Conflict/Resolution, Group Portfolio, 2006