About Colleen Stiles, Artist
My work explores the relationship between humans and the natural world through drawing, sculpture and mixed media. I am interested in how our identities and inner lives are shaped by the environments we inhabit, and how human presence becomes intertwined with the rhythms of the natural world.
Through drawing and sculpture, I construct visual narratives that blur the boundaries between memory, symbolism, and the natural world. My pen and ink drawings delve into rich landscapes populated by animals, where intricate details and a sense of wonder intertwine. In sculpture, I utilize a variety of materials, including plaster, found objects, and clay, to construct figurative forms. In all of my work, I strive to create a sense of tension, movement or intrigue. My artistic process is intuitive, allowing the work to evolve organically as I engage with the materials.
After concentrating in ceramics during college, returning to the medium has reconnected me with one of the most intuitive aspects of my practice. Clay has become central to my practice because of its tactile, responsive nature. Working by hand allows each piece to evolve intuitively as I build, carve, and alter the form. I finish my sculptures with underglaze or paint and often incorporate vines, glass, bones, and other found materials. I am drawn to matte, organic surfaces, muted palettes, and soulful expressions that suggest histories both personal and universal.
Whether working in drawing or sculpture, I seek to create a recognizable visual language rooted in line, form, texture, and symbolism. Rather than offering fixed narratives, my work invites quiet observation and personal interpretation. I hope each piece becomes a place where viewers can reflect on their own relationship to nature, memory, and the emotional landscapes we all inhabit.