Artist Statement
My painting practice explores the complex relationship between humans and nature. In my latest series, Dawn to Dusk I am painting translucent figures over the landscape to give both presence, but neither one more weight. I am interested in how we alter ourselves to our environment and how these spaces are altered by our presence. Through this series I want to make the audience aware of their own bodies as a container of experiences which become fused to the landscape they are currently inhabiting.
Each subject for my paintings are based on personal experiences and locations that I have explored growing up in the Pacific Northwest. My work is influenced by a wide variety of contemporary painters such as Trey Abdella, Robin Francesca Williams, Kerry James Marshall, and Celeste Rapone. My process involves approaching every painting as though it were a puzzle, creating problems for myself to solve on the canvas.
Art is a byproduct of what we notice about our world and the rare moments which stick to our memories like glue. When I create these paintings I am reflecting on the relationship between the human body and the way it interacts with the world around us. I’m exploring what it means to think about the body as a part of the landscape within the limitations and liberations of paint.
Artist Bio
Stephanie Broussard is an artist born and raised in Olympia, Washington. She creates oil paintings influenced by plants, landscapes, and animals seen in the Pacific Northwest. Stephanie gets her inspiration by taking long hikes through the woods and documenting her environment. Back in the studio she investigates the relationship between nature and humans through painting. Stephanie researches each subject she paints to learn about the symbolism, history, and cycles of each subject. Through the process she deepens her understanding and respect of the landscape in the Pacific Northwest
Stephanie has shown work throughout the west coast and midwest including the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU (WA), Sullivan Gallery (IL), Olympia Lamplighters (WA), SITE Gallery (IL), Fulton Street Collective (IL), Gallery Boom (WA) and several others. She was the recipient of a Creative Honors Merit Scholarship for the School of the Art institute of Chicago where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from in 2019. Stephanie also received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Washington State University in 2021. After moving back to Olympia she is pursuing her dream of being a full time artist. Broussardstudio@gmail.com www.Broussardstudio.com
