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Technical and Esthetic

As an experimental  artist, Silvia selectively assembles and fuses images. She layers colors with her papers, etchings and wax, creating a delicate blend into a cohesive whole. Whether it is realism, abstraction, or a combination of these styles, her fascination with the process allows the work to evolve, ignited by the creative undertaking and the artist’s soul.

 

Where Art and Art History Intersect:

"My imagery comes from the fascination or excitement with a person, place or object. I often create work influenced by encountering historical objects in new places.

 

One such example is the Angel Bridge in Rome built in 134 AD. I was so excited to be immersed in the ancient culture that produced so much influential art and architecture. To have the opportunity to stand on the banks of the river feeling the sun, smelling the water, viewing the bridge with ten Magnificent angel sculptures adorning it created an emotional attachment that inspired a whole series of work. This is a sensation that I have come to trust.

 

Another example stems from a trip to Paris where I visited the Père Lachaise Cemetery. The cemetery was established by Napoleon I in 1804. The sculptures that grace the tombs of the dead are incredible and left me with such a feeling of awe. This awe inspired a large body of work that to this day are among my favorite pieces."

 

"One of the techniques I use, printmaking, originated in China after paper was invented (about A.D. 105). Relief printing first flourished in Europe in the 15th century when the process of papermaking was imported from the East. It was not till the 18th century that art prints began to be considered originals and not till the 19th that artists began to produce limited editions and to sign their prints.

 

Encaustic is an ancient painting technique originating in 5th century B.C. Greece. The word encaustic comes from Greek and means 'to burn in' which refers to the process of fusing the paint. The most famous examples of this process are the Fayum Portraits from Greco-Roman Egypt. This process involves melting beeswax, adding resin and pigment for color. The medium is applied using a brush or pouring onto a wood surface. I build up the encaustic medium to create a very textured surface and contrast this against wax applied in a smooth manner incorporating natural materials. This proven medium has versatility, texture, unpredictability and scent . All of this excites me as an artist."