Rolinda Stotts

Art Brokerage: Rolinda Stotts American Artist: I grew up on a dairy farm working with animals and earth, growing crops and building fence, learning to nurture life and respect nature. This is where my life as an artist began. The lessons of balance and harmony that I learned on the farm are invaluable in expressing my feelings and experiences on canvas. Some of my subject matter comes from early childhood experiences on the farm, but still more comes from my life with my children. I love seeing the world simplified through their eyes. My paintings are more of an essence of nature, not a literal representation of it. It's the emotion that a stand of aspen stirs inside me that I'm trying to capture. You will notice lots of familial references in the titles of my paintings like: "Three Sisters", "Protecting the Little One", and "Family of Five", this is no accident. In order to get the effect of extreme age and texture, I use a ten-step process that allows me to manipulate my work to give it the essence that it has survived centuries. I start by making my own canvas. When the canvas has been properly prepared, I am ready to paint using only oils. Once the painting has dried, I literally break the painting with my hands. Then, I adhere the painting to a self-constructed wooden frame and shape edges to give a torn look. I will continue adding more oil paint either in very thin applications or with a bold palette knife. The cracks are real; it is not a "crackle finish" and I encourage people to touch and feel the work. Most people are drawn to the tactile nature of the painting and I want to engage the sense of touch. I want there to be an element of imperfection in my work. To have things be imperfect gives a little grace and a sense of freedom. Only through this freedom can we attain a sense of calm. I want to feel that calm myself. That's why I paint. Paintings Wanted