Paula Stark

Artist Statement

My subject is the American landscape. I draw and paint both directly on site and in my studio. In each work I combine observation and invention. Though I paint in a representational style, I am fascinated by the abstract architecture apparent in the landscape.

Landscape painting to me, is a conversation with nature. I approach each landscape with specific ideas both conscious and unconscious. I feel an emotional and spiritual connection to nature that continues to inspire me. In my paintings, I strive to convey this sense of discovery and delight. Nature always provides unexpected "material" to work with.

My goal is to capture what I see and feel with broad strokes of paint. I want the viewer to experience a sense of time and place and to reveal the wonder and surprise that makes a place memorable to me. I am interested in what keeps a place in your mind, long after you've left.

Artist Biography

Paula Stark (born 1956, Worcester, MA) has had solo exhibitions of her landscape paintings throughout the United States. Her work has been favorably reviewed in The New York Times, ArtNews and The Artist's Magazine. She has received support from the Helena Rubenstein Foundation and from M. Grumbacher, Inc. She has had one woman shows of her work in New York City, Williamsburg, VA, on Martha's Vineyard, MA, at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH, in Greenwich, CT, Charlottesville, VA, Asheville, NC, Montclair, NJ and in St. Augustine, FL. Her work has been included in group shows nationwide.

Ms. Stark received a Master's Degree in painting (MFA) from Parsons School of Design in New York City. Her BFA is from the University of New Hampshire. Her work is included in numerous private and public collections including the Asheville Art Museum, Western North Carolina University, Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, the Neuberger Collection in New York, The State Museum of Pennsylvania.