Gradient Expeditions
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2026 works in progress
Gradient Expeditions is a visual inquiry into humans as beings, inspired by the chromatic complexity of skin and the color palettes of classical portraiture. Rather than depicting representational figures, the works are fully abstract. Stephanie uses tonal gradients to suggest presence, emotional terrain, and lived experience. The works investigate how skin undertones, shadows, translucence, diffused light, can be reinterpreted in abstract form. The paintings employ up to a dozen layers of opaque and translucent layers to create optical effects that evoke motion. These techniques create a parallax-like effect that echoes the experience of eyes in portraiture that seem to follow the observer. The project’s treatment of human skin in its full chromatic range, offers space for discourse on race, identity, and representation in art. Stephanie created several proof-of-concept works of the painting process in 2025, while painting artworks for Infuse. |
One of five panels of Shadow Work, 80" x 36" oil on panel. First completed artwork for Gradient Expeditions.
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Revelations
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Nest. Patinated woven copper wire.
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September 6 - October 25
S. Kossmann, Revelations, Artsplace, Annapolis Royal NS
Press Release
Traces & Transformations: New Work by Stephanie Kossmann
ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, Nova Scotia– ARTSPLACE Gallery welcomes “Revelations,” a solo exhibition
by Annapolis Royal-based artist Stephanie Kossmann. This intimate collection of assemblages offers a
preview of a larger, evolving body of work that will unfold in future exhibitions titled “Remnants and
Revelations,” planned for 2026 and 2027.
The works in “Revelations” are composed of copper wire and sheet, carved and unaltered wood, and a range
of organic and human-made materials. Surfaces are marked by natural and intentional patinas, evoking the
passage of time and layers of embedded history. The quiet scale and subtle movement of these pieces stand
in contrast to Kossmann’s expansive abstract oil paintings in development. These paintings, which resemble
archaeological excavations, layer, conceal, and reveal dramatically transformed landscapes.
“This exhibition offers a compelling glimpse into an evolving body of work that bridges material exploration
and emotional resonance,” said Gallery Director Sophie Paskins.
Stephanie Kossmann is a contemporary visual artist who was born in 1969 in New Jersey, USA, and raised in
a coastal Massachusetts town. She has also lived and worked in Ontario and Vermont. Her work explores the
shifting relationships between memory, perception, and mood, using colour to evoke sensations such as
temperature, texture, scent, and atmospheric presence.
Kossmann’s process involves oil paints, etching inks, and cold wax, allowing her to create both luminous and
opaque surfaces. She works primarily with her hands, engaging in a tactile process of building and removing
layers to reveal rich textures and dimensional qualities. In her portraiture, she applies the philosophy of
appreciative inquiry, highlighting her subjects’ inner lives and strengths. This approach encourages viewers to
look beyond surface details and focus on potential and resilience.
Stephanie Kossmann’s “Revelations opening reception Sat. September 6, 2025, 12-2 p.m. Light refreshments
served, all welcome. Exhibition continues through October 25.
ARTSPLACE is a public Art Gallery that is operated by the Annapolis Region Community Arts Council, a
registered charitable, community organization dedicated to encouraging and promoting the arts. Supported
through the Province of Nova Scotia and the Canada Council for the Arts.
ARTSPLACE Gallery is located at 396 St. George Street in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
For more information please contact:
[email protected]
(902) 532-7069
https://arcac.ca/
Facebook: ARTSPLACEGallery
Instagram: arcac.artsplace
S. Kossmann, Revelations, Artsplace, Annapolis Royal NS
Press Release
Traces & Transformations: New Work by Stephanie Kossmann
ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, Nova Scotia– ARTSPLACE Gallery welcomes “Revelations,” a solo exhibition
by Annapolis Royal-based artist Stephanie Kossmann. This intimate collection of assemblages offers a
preview of a larger, evolving body of work that will unfold in future exhibitions titled “Remnants and
Revelations,” planned for 2026 and 2027.
The works in “Revelations” are composed of copper wire and sheet, carved and unaltered wood, and a range
of organic and human-made materials. Surfaces are marked by natural and intentional patinas, evoking the
passage of time and layers of embedded history. The quiet scale and subtle movement of these pieces stand
in contrast to Kossmann’s expansive abstract oil paintings in development. These paintings, which resemble
archaeological excavations, layer, conceal, and reveal dramatically transformed landscapes.
“This exhibition offers a compelling glimpse into an evolving body of work that bridges material exploration
and emotional resonance,” said Gallery Director Sophie Paskins.
Stephanie Kossmann is a contemporary visual artist who was born in 1969 in New Jersey, USA, and raised in
a coastal Massachusetts town. She has also lived and worked in Ontario and Vermont. Her work explores the
shifting relationships between memory, perception, and mood, using colour to evoke sensations such as
temperature, texture, scent, and atmospheric presence.
Kossmann’s process involves oil paints, etching inks, and cold wax, allowing her to create both luminous and
opaque surfaces. She works primarily with her hands, engaging in a tactile process of building and removing
layers to reveal rich textures and dimensional qualities. In her portraiture, she applies the philosophy of
appreciative inquiry, highlighting her subjects’ inner lives and strengths. This approach encourages viewers to
look beyond surface details and focus on potential and resilience.
Stephanie Kossmann’s “Revelations opening reception Sat. September 6, 2025, 12-2 p.m. Light refreshments
served, all welcome. Exhibition continues through October 25.
ARTSPLACE is a public Art Gallery that is operated by the Annapolis Region Community Arts Council, a
registered charitable, community organization dedicated to encouraging and promoting the arts. Supported
through the Province of Nova Scotia and the Canada Council for the Arts.
ARTSPLACE Gallery is located at 396 St. George Street in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
For more information please contact:
[email protected]
(902) 532-7069
https://arcac.ca/
Facebook: ARTSPLACEGallery
Instagram: arcac.artsplace
Infuse
2023-2025
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)