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Abigail Stockinger: surrealist
One of my favorite aspects of working as an artist in a visual medium is that it allows me to vividly express my emotions to a degree that I could not otherwise through another medium. Through my paintbrush and ink, I can convey deep-seated feelings and images that pervade every layer of my consciousness. From a young age, I sketched and painted as a means of creatively expressing myself, and I finally completed my formal training in the creative arts in 2005.
I have been fortunate to train under some amazing teachers, first at Diablo Valley College and then at Mills College. They have provided me with a strong foundation upon which to cultivate my own unique style, as well as to reference now that i am working solo without the structure of an academic environment. In total, I have participated in seven shows, from 2002 until today; some of these were group shows and others featured my work exclusively. My works have received widespread critical recognition, and in fact, in 2006, I was even censored for a series of charcoal and ink drawings, only a year after I graduated.
I particularly enjoy working with oils, and I oftentimes find myself lost in the mesmerizing act of mixing colors. They provide an enchanting depth and texture that I have not found any other medium. My personal artistic journey has led me to discover how working with oils forces me to pace myself and have a clear vision at the outset. One cannot rush one’s self, or expect instant gratification, when working with oils. Moreover, I feel that I have only scratched the tip of the iceberg in my exploration of the medium, and how I can convey my thoughts and feelings through it.
I especially enjoy Surrealist painting. I love being able to show audiences how, with a few minor tweaks and twists, everyday mundane reality can be made to seem dreamlike. I also enjoy experimenting in building in layers of color. I count among my influences Leonora Carrington, Max Ernst, Rosa Bonhauer, Michael Parkes. Alphonse Mucha and Toulouse Lautrec – an eclectic mix of painters, each with a distinct style and use of color unlike any other artist. When I see their works, either in person or in print, I find myself wanting to dive headfirst into the rabbit holes of their respective idioms.
My goal as a painter is to transport my audience to a new place – to a world they have never seen and to which they cannot wait to return. I aim to snare my audience’s attention and evoke strong feelings deep within them. They don’t always have to be positive emotions; as long as I have engaged one person’s mind or heart in a profound way, I am satisfied.