Shoshanna Bauer
Nationality: US
Currently Living: Illinois, USA
Member Since: 12/9/2006
Artist Statement
My name is Shoshanna Bauer, and I've wanted to be an Artist since I was five years old. There is some irony in that statement because for many years I had great difficulty allowing myself to be an Artist. I still struggle with it sometimes. Everything changed when I went through a divorce. It was quite traumatic at the time, however going through it caused me to do some serious consideration regarding my path and where I was with my life. I realized I had put aside my dreams and it was time to take them back. I began painting again and this time I painted from the heart - no, from the soul. I poured my emotions onto the page, allowing my spirit to speak back to me through the images. The first showing of my new body of work was well-received and encouraged me to continue painting.
I very rarely plan a painting out from start to finish. All of the pieces were created using a process involving applying watercolors and color washes and adding salt. The salt acts as a resist and as it dries adds an element of randomness to the work. I come back and look at it to see what images I can bring out, as if it were Rorschach ink blot test. Some of the paintings I created leaped out at me demanding to be painted while others quietly revealed themselves. Using this process I am able to have a constant dialogue with the painting as it is being created. It keeps me interested and allows me to just play with the colors instead of worrying about "getting it right".
Spirals, animals, and abstract forms populate my paintings. Spirals represent the outward growth and the creative force. Each animal or mythological creature represents a bit of my soul or emotions emotions - and some the soul of humanity - that I wanted to represent.
I currently live in Illinois and am working full time professional on my art. I sell both originals and commissions through my website. http://www.shoshannabauer.com
