stormy 
forsberg



She/Her

Painter, Sculptor  
glazing, figurative, realism, chromatic, horror, oddities, inspirations from childhood



 

My series, Flesh & Verse consists of large-scale acrylic paintings on canvas and smaller studies on paper. Thin glazes of muted colours build a soft sense of depth and complexity. I take a delicate approach to painting, making sure to hide my brushstrokes to authentically capture the small details of my subjects. My work explores the relationships between light and colour, specifically what it reveals.  

The large-scale paintings feature the bodies of two women. Close perspectives  and high rendering force the audience to confront the images in front of them. Textured details of scars, bumps, veins, and hair capture a realistic view of a body. Limbs and heads are cropped outside of the window, leaving the women  anonymous and separating the individual from their physical form.  

Studying, research, and photographing subjects is the beginning of every work but does not necessarily follow a linear path. I started by sketching initial thumbnails to understand a composition she liked. After researching figure references, and coming across primarily conventionally attractive figures, I turned  to the websites of plastic surgery offices to capture ‘Before’ pictures of clients. In other cases, I photographed myself for references. Small studies of compositions were painted to understand the colour palette to be used, and to experiment with  techniques to capture specific details. Base layers of paint served to block in forms, the layers gradually getting thinner and more refined. Near the end of every  painting, smaller details are meticulously added to create a representation of a  body that emits warmth and life. Using this approach allows me to capture variances in translucence, texture, and subtle colour shifts that are unique to every subject.  

The bodies pictured are physical representations of insecurities and serve as a  response to the unattainable “perfect” physique that many of us feel the pressure to live-up-to regularly. I chose to use female bodies to capture my own experience of being a woman and growing up in the age of social media, celebrity coverage, and the rise of plastic surgery. The work has allowed me to confront my own insecurities through the paint, the process being cathartic and insightful.





Previous Works

 
MHC
Art & Design Program – MHC

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Contact Info
livingroomartdesign@gmail.com
403.529.3959
Address
399 College Ave SE
Medicine Hat, AB - Canada
T1A 3Y6
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