Infuse
2025 work in progress
2025 June 21-July 27
S. Kossmann, Infuse, The Ice House Gallery, The Grace Arts Centre, Tatamagouche, NS
Infuse is a body of paintings completed between 2023 and 2025 for Breathing Space and for the beginnings of a new complementary project. The newer work is inspired by four paintings, Portrait of Tandy (Cir 2019) and 23AR03 (2023).
Kossmann uses vibrant and rich colors, and balance warmth and coolness to evoke movement and energy. Primarily applying paint with her hands, the resulting fluid lines and color fields navigate between chaos and calm, energizing the compositions without overwhelming them. Open forms and translucent layers blend so that the colors speak in both whispers and shouts, while dynamic lines provide structure and focus. Layering adds depth and texture, immersing viewers in a dynamic space. Organic shapes offer a connection to nature and an emotional layer, encouraging viewers to find their own interpretations within the abstract compositions.
2025 June 21-July 27
S. Kossmann, Infuse, The Ice House Gallery, The Grace Arts Centre, Tatamagouche, NS
Infuse is a body of paintings completed between 2023 and 2025 for Breathing Space and for the beginnings of a new complementary project. The newer work is inspired by four paintings, Portrait of Tandy (Cir 2019) and 23AR03 (2023).
Kossmann uses vibrant and rich colors, and balance warmth and coolness to evoke movement and energy. Primarily applying paint with her hands, the resulting fluid lines and color fields navigate between chaos and calm, energizing the compositions without overwhelming them. Open forms and translucent layers blend so that the colors speak in both whispers and shouts, while dynamic lines provide structure and focus. Layering adds depth and texture, immersing viewers in a dynamic space. Organic shapes offer a connection to nature and an emotional layer, encouraging viewers to find their own interpretations within the abstract compositions.
Portrait of Tandy, L-R 16", 24" and 8" sq, Oil, etching ink, cold wax, gold leaf giving the appearance of velvet, jingly coins, and colored as intensely as Tandy's life. Sold.
In Living Space: Portraits through Appreciative Inquiry, each portrait sitter received a 12" sq painting in grattitude of their participation.
Breathing Space
2022-2024
2024 Nov 30-Dec 20
S. Kossmann, Breathing Space, Chapel Gallery, Artsplace, Annapolis Royal, NS
Using spreadsheets, word clouds, and her own observations, Kossmann identified the common themes shared by Living Space participants. Breathing Space explores the portrait sitters' connections to earth and atmosphere, sensuality and intimacy, resilience and growth, and the spirit of living spontaneously and joyfully.
2024 Nov 30-Dec 20
S. Kossmann, Breathing Space, Chapel Gallery, Artsplace, Annapolis Royal, NS
Using spreadsheets, word clouds, and her own observations, Kossmann identified the common themes shared by Living Space participants. Breathing Space explores the portrait sitters' connections to earth and atmosphere, sensuality and intimacy, resilience and growth, and the spirit of living spontaneously and joyfully.
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Living Space; Portraits through Appreciative Inquiry
2018-2022
2019
S. Kossmann, The 3:30 Project, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester VT
2022
S. Kossmann, Living Space:Portraits through Appreciative Inquiry, Nuquist Gallery, Montpelier, VT
Living Space featured 120 abstract portraits inspired by interviews with 30 survivors of complex relational and sexual abuse. Utilizing a collaborative approach, this project emphasized strengths and aspirations, allowing participants to share their journeys of healing and resilience through reflective writing. Kossmann interpreted each participant’s written responses to a set of prompts to create the abstract portraits. Participants were invited to title their paintings and choose anonymity, a name, or nickname during discussions of the project.
2019
S. Kossmann, The 3:30 Project, Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester VT
2022
S. Kossmann, Living Space:Portraits through Appreciative Inquiry, Nuquist Gallery, Montpelier, VT
Living Space featured 120 abstract portraits inspired by interviews with 30 survivors of complex relational and sexual abuse. Utilizing a collaborative approach, this project emphasized strengths and aspirations, allowing participants to share their journeys of healing and resilience through reflective writing. Kossmann interpreted each participant’s written responses to a set of prompts to create the abstract portraits. Participants were invited to title their paintings and choose anonymity, a name, or nickname during discussions of the project.
L-R:
Sold - Portraits of Nicole;
Sold - Portraits of Kristen;
Portraits of Anonymous (Warrior Woman);
Portraits of Joanne;
Portraits of Anonymous (Fern, Clover, Thorn);
Portraits of Savvy;
Portraits of Anonymous (Endurance at all Costs)
L-R:
Portraits of Anonymous (Middle of the Road Eccentric);
Portraits of Janice; Sold -
Portraits of Mary
L-R:
Sold - Portraits of Dee (Beautiful Mess);
Two of four sold - Portraits of Anonymous (Ordinary Woman Having an Extraordinary Adventure);
Sold - Portraits of Anonymous (Bravery Resting in Beauty)