Charlene Rocci Stolo

Art is a form of communication—whether through written words, performance, or visual composition. It absorbs the societal climate, reflects self-commentary, and reaches out to connect with the human spirit, evoking responses that may be subtle or profound, comfortable or challenging.

With a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from California State University, Fullerton, focusing on Drawing and Painting, and a minor in Interior Design, my creative disciplines have been shaped by professional experiences as an artist, designer and elementary art teacher. The drive to create has always been constant, fueled by the mental imagery that compels an artist to actively explore their craft.

Over the years, my work has evolved through immersive exploration, experimentation, and transformation in style, media, and dimension. This fluidity is vital for growth and refinement, allowing pieces to  be created that aim to evoke emotion, provoke thought, recall a memory, or simply celebrate the elements and principles of art. My work spans figures, faces, and abstracts involving wood or other mixed media. Each piece intends to invite engagement and contemplation.

As an artist, it is impossible to avoid the influence of art history and those who came before us. My creations reflect a confluence of styles inspired by architects and designers like Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank Gehry, and Charles Eames. I draw on the vibrant colors of Henri Matisse and André Derain, the distorted forms of Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh, and the raw, authentic emotions of Frida Kahlo. The wood assemblages and box art of Louise Nevelson are the primary influence of the Repurposed Series.  Even more significant for me is her quote, “I never feel age…if you have creative work, you don’t have age or time.” Each influence informs my practice, blending history and personal vision into a cohesive expression.