Stephanie Kossmann (b. 1969, New Jersey, USA)

Stephanie Kossmann is a contemporary artist based in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia. She was raised in a coastal town in Massachusetts and lived and worked in Ontario and Vermont. Her art practice plays with memory, perception, and mood. She uses colour to explore emotions, temperature, scent, texture, and humidity.

Stephanie uses vibrant and rich colours, and balances warmth and coolness to evoke movement and energy. Primarily applying paint with her hands, the resulting fluid lines and colour fields navigate between chaos and calm, energizing the compositions without overwhelming them. Open forms and translucent layers blend so that the colours speak in both whispers and shouts, while fluid lines provide structure and focus. Layering adds depth and texture, immersing viewers in a dynamic space. Organic shapes offer a connection to nature and an emotional layer, encouraging viewers to find their own interpretations within the abstract compositions.

In her innovative approach to portraiture, Stephanie employs appreciative inquiry interviews to transcend physicality and illuminate the inner life of her subjects. This method encourages individuals to shift their perspectives and creatively envision a desired future by focusing on their strengths, qualities and achievements, rather than merely overcoming perceived deficiencies. Through her art, Stephanie fosters a transformative dialogue that celebrates resilience and personal growth.