Born in the Philippines and now based in the scenic landscapes of Sonoma, California, I am an artist whose unique path to creativity defies convention. Raised in a culture that emphasized science and math, my academic background was far from the world of art. Instead, I pursued a career in the realms of chemistry and business, graduating with a business degree and immersing myself in the corporate world. However, life has a way of revealing hidden passions, and it was during my retirement that the spark of art ignited within me.
My artistic journey began with a casual painting workshop at our local community college in Sonoma. Little did I know that this seemingly insignificant step would set the course for my transformation from a business professional to a late blooming artist, following a path where colors, curiosity, and creativity converged.
Intrigued by the art of painting and fascinated by the materials and techniques, I embraced a self-directed learning approach. Over the last six years, I have dedicated myself to learning various methods and refining my style. My academic background in finance and chemistry nurtured an inquisitive mindset, prompting me to delve deeper into the characteristics and interactions of paints and mediums. I have eagerly researched paint materials to grasp the science behind mixing different materials and how they come alive on the canvas.
My artistic process is a meticulous journey of rendering and refining. I begin with a sketch of the subject, capturing its essence and unique elements. This initial rendering serves as the foundation for my artwork, guiding me as I transfer it to the canvas or board. From there, I employ a traditional approach, using grisaille to work on values, light, and shadow. The layers of colors, both lean and fat, are added over days, weeks, and even months, with each brushstroke revealing a new dimension to the subject.
The heart of my current portfolio lies in the ordinary objects that surround us daily. These seemingly mundane entities hold a captivating charm that I cannot resist exploring. When I encounter an object, I am drawn to the intricacies and subtleties that make it unique at that precise moment in time. It could be the alluring hues of a ripening fruit, the delicate dewdrops on leaves, or the interplay of light and shadow on a simple item. Nature, in all its glory, gifts us with a plethora of art—from the simplest lines and shapes to the most complex and abstract forms. My mission is to capture the drama of this uniqueness, unveiling the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.
Through my artwork, I invite viewers to pause and see the world through my eyes, where the overlooked transforms into the extraordinary. I hope to inspire others to appreciate the beauty in everyday objects, urging them to find art in the subtleties of life. In my pursuit of artistic expression, I have discovered a world where colors come alive, and curiosity fuels creativity.
As I continue to grow as an artist, I am excited to see where this journey of colors and curiosity takes me next. I look forward to sharing my passion with art enthusiasts, collectors, and fellow admirers of the beauty that surrounds us, both in the canvas and beyond. With each stroke of the brush, I embark on a voyage of exploration, inviting others to join me in celebrating the artistic marvels that life offers us all.
Corazon Guzman Thornton