Silvia Trujillo

Artist Statement:

“I live, breathe, and sleep art. Creating art is a way of life for me." My goal is to consistently produce paintings that are original and express my love of nature. I'm experimental -- you will find different surfaces, approaches, and subjects in my work. I love color and varied value patterns. Landscape plein air painting is a natural extension of this love and attracts me to the dramatic light that occurs during a storm or at dawn and dusk. 
In order to convey my vision accurately I employ the use of lost and found edges, knowledge of color temperature, a variety of brush stroke, design of space, and contrasting values.
I feel deeply the effects of the vanishing natural environment, and it is my hope to pass on a respectful, caring, and thoughtful approach to preserving nature's beauty by honoring the landscape in my paintings."

Education:

I began studying art and fashion in the 1970s which resulted in a fashion design degree. 
It was in the in the 80s, that I changed my focus to fine art painting, and studied with a series of notable artists and instructors from the California plein air style; including Wayne Theibaud, Gregory Kondos, Gil Dellinger, Terry Miura, Suchitra Bohsle, and Susan Sarback.

Awards & Distinctions:

"Her captivating work conveys a sense of space and timelessness with distinctive style" Ashland Daily Tidings Sept 2013

Awards:

47th Annual Stockton Art League Open 1998 juror: Gil Dellinger/ Prof. of Art Univ. of the Pacific
“Award of Merit"

Watercolor Artists of Sacto Horizons (WASH) 1998 juror: Greg Kondos / Prof of Art CSUS, Sacramento “Award of Excellence"

CA. Arts League Annual Open 1998 juror: Pat Smoot / Distinguished Artist
“2nd Place /Oil"

Amador County Art Assoc. 17th Annual 1999 juror: David Hollowell / Prof. of Art UC Davis
“Best of Show"

The Sacramento Bee 24th Annual Open 1999 juror: Patrick Dullanty/ Prof. of Art & Dept. Head 
“Award of Merit"

CA. Arts League Annual Open 1999 juror: Gerald Boyd SWA PSWC
“1st Place" Oil, Impasto, Acrylic

New Artworks 3rd Annual Open 1999 juror: Greg Kondos/ Prof. of Art CSUS, Sacramento
“1st Place" Oil

Amador County Art Assoc. 18th Annual 2000 juror: Carl Vosburgh Miller AWS WSW
“Special Award", “Patrons Choice Award", & “Honorable Mention"

CA Arts League Annual 2000 juror: Dan Peterson/ Prof. of Art, Modesto J.C.
“Best Use of Color"

Chico Art Ctr 2000 Open “Defining Vessels" juror:David Middlebrook/ Assoc. Art Director SJSU
“Honorable Mention"

Crocker Art Museum Annual Art Auction (accepted artist 2001-2005) Various distinguished jurors
 

Exhibitions:

Previous Gallery Representation:

20th St Gallery owners: Jim & Joni Ferry Sacramento, CA 2002- 2010


Connextions Gallery owner: Patricia Calegari 
Sausalito, Cloverdale, & Healdsberg, CA 2003- 2015

404 Gallery owner: Howard Stover- Roseville, CA 2006- 2009

Pegasus Gallery owner: Bill Shumway Corvallis ,OR 2005- 2008

Gallerie Karon contact: Karen Ashland, OR 2006- 2008

Elliott Fouts Gallery owner: Elliott Fouts Sacramento, CA 2001- 2007

River Road Gallery contact: Laura 
Locke, CA 2003- 2007

Sutter Creek Gallery owner: Brent Parsons 
Sutter Creek, CA 2002-2004

McConnell Gallery owner: Shelly McConnell 
San Luis Obispo, CA 2002- 2003
 

Professional/Teaching Experience:

By teaching painting and drawing to students of all ages for over 20 years, I've found that it's not only an act of service to my students, but also it's personally rewarding for me as an artist. As an art instructor teaching keeps my artistic eye sharp and also on track to "practice what I preach" in terms of style, design, and creative exploration

Artistic Influences:

Through her decades as a professional artist, Trujillo has become well known for her modern take on romantic impressionism. Her influences include the early tonalists (especially George Innes), and modern landscape painters like Tom Thomson, Birger Sandzen, and Wayne Thiebaud. She often says that these great painters provide the influence, but the beautiful landscapes of the West Coast are her inspiration.