About Sikara Sokel

Why is that figure sitting in the dark with a bowl of fish, and why is that sink glowing like radioactive waste? This body of work is a collection of contemporary portraiture driven by extreme color and value contrasts used to alter the appearance and mood of the figure. I find my paintings before I paint them. I collect locations, props, and people to stage an image that triggers a strong yet intangible response. I allow color to drive the compositions, but often look to incorporate items that can become the light source; I am always looking for interesting shadows and color combinations before working with the model to capture their gaze. The painting process is an exercise in technique for me. I balance highly rendered moments of sharpness with soft, subtle backgrounds. While my paintings are not expressive with brushwork or paint application, they are expressive through their elaborate set ups, intense light, and vibrant color.

Biography

I am a contemporary painter from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Shepherd University in May 2024. My work focuses on reimagining traditional portraiture through vibrancy, light, and color. My work has been exhibited at Two-Two-Eight Gallery in Fairmont, WV, The Phaze 2 Gallery and the Devonshire Pub in Shepherdstown, WV; my work has also been published in You’re Not Seeing Things (YNST) Magazine, Sans Merci Art and Literary Magazine, and the Shepherdstown Art Magazine. In the future, I hopes to work for a program that aims to keep the arts alive and accessible throughout West Virginia and the Appalachian region.

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Other Creative Skills

Drawing
Photography