Description
‘Promises’ by Kristen Margiotta
Artist: Kristen Margiotta
Title: ‘Promises’
Medium: Graphite, acrylic, and genuine 23 gold leaf on paper
Dimensions: 3.5″ x 3.5″
Framing: Framed in an ornate gold frame with hand embellished red details by the artist – complete with signature frame backing featuring black dust cover paper, custom wax seal and hanging hardware (frame size: 7.5″ x 7.5″)
Year of Creation: 2023
About the Artwork:
“A couple of years ago, I began creating affordable drawings, outside of my fine art paintings, that are packaged beautifully in tiny frames, some that I paint and distress myself. I always wanted to build my own frames, but for the time being, I am greatly enjoying the creative process from the drawing itself, to application of paint, gold leaf, and packaging them in the frame with my signature backing. I take as much care on the back of the frame as I do with the artwork itself.
Eyes have always been a focus in my work for the last 18+ years, from my older “big eyed” and illustration work, to my current narrative paintings and these drawings. Tears and pearls pour from the moistened eye, showing beauty after heartache is possible. I like to think of my work having influence from an older time, the ornate gold frame and gold leaf adding a feeling of importance, and throwback to devotional art from 16th century onward, combined with stories and personal experiences of the modern day.” – Kristen Margiotta
About the Artist:
(Artist Bio)
Kristen Margiotta is based in the United States, in the first state of Delaware. She is a contemporary oil painter whose passion for art is pervasive throughout her lifestyle. For almost two decades, she has been exhibiting and selling her work, illustrating books, and actively participating in her local art community.
Margiotta has exhibited in galleries and museums nationally and was represented in Santa Fe, NM for a decade. Her oil paintings are found in private collections across the country, ranging from collectors of animation and cartoon art, to dark art, pop surrealism, and realism.
Margiotta has transitioned from her “big eyed” gallery paintings and illustration work and returned to her roots of a more realistic and narrative oil painting style. She’s also returned to portrait painting, working directly from live models using the direct method of “alla prima” oil painting. Strength, raw human emotion, and the color red pervade her work. Her recent gallery exhibitions include those at Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco, and the Convent, Philadelphia, PA.
Margiotta continues to paint and teach art privately in her home studio in Newark, DE.
(Artist Statement)
I am at a pivotal moment in my career, a new beginning, a new cycle of art that is a reflection of my growth first as a person, and as an artist. My recent body of work centers around the human figure and nature to uncover and reveal personal truth. This work is a departure from my “big eyed” fine artwork and illustrations that spanned my 17+ year career, which focussed on sweet, but often scared characters, afraid of the unknown and of the ominous environments they were exploring.
My recent work is about transformation of oneself, a complete departure from my previous body of work. How we can move beyond limitations and hardships and transform them into something beautiful that unlocks our inner fire. My work is raw and emotive, and though it may appear “dark” to some, it is alive and reflects what I think we are meant to be as human beings: powerful, determined, and with the ability to overcome. By discovering who we really are, we can transform ourselves, and move forward in a positive way in this lifetime. My goal is for my artwork to reach people, to touch them or connect with them, to bring joy, and help them heal.