Unknown Lands: Sybil Bedner-Ostrowski's Art

Artist Sybil Bedner-Ostrowski

Sybil Bedner-Ostrowski is on an artistic journey. “I am a beginner at art, picking up a paint brush for the first time five years ago,” says Gallery Underground's featured artist for August.  “As a beginner, I am like a traveler starting out for unknown lands.” To look at her colorful oil paintings, one would never guess she has only been painting for 5 years.

“I call my painting style contemporary Impressionism,” she says of her work. “My approach has been evolving over the past few years into a more expressive style, from painting primarily what I see, to attempting to paint what I feel, as well. I am continuing my search for ways to paint more impressionistically.   I want my art to be abstract, but I still want the subject to be discernible, not by attempting realism but rather by using other means such as color and texture.  Eventually, I hope to make my paintings look as if they are emerging from the canvas.” 

"Endless Summer" oil by Sybil Bedner-Ostrowski

 

Sybil's paintings, always popular with Gallery patrons, pay homage to the great impressionists of the 19th century, and she continues in their tradition. When discussing her bright, unique color palette, she says, "So many choices: warm or cool, high key or low, analogous, complementary, monochromatic?  Where to put the color spots?  Where is the light coming from?   I try many things. I used a limited palate, blending the colors and blurring the edges. I [often] use  bright neon circus hues  and  hard-edged theatrical colors under stage lights.  I [try] to depict calm, and to raise the temperature and excite the senses."

"Naples" oil by Sybil Bedner-Ostrowski

Sybil is also known for her depictions of city life in cities all over the world, both day and night scenes.

Having often wished she had at lest minored in fine arts in college, Sybil hopes that her BA in philosophy from George Washington University will have laid the groundwork for developing the contemplative and observant nature necessary in an artist. She takes art classes and workshops on an ongoing basis, reads art books and artist biographies, and learns by observing the techniques of other local artists. She comes from and artistic family: Her father was known for his handmade exotic wood boxes, which he deeply carved with intricate leaf designs. She has lived in Pennsylvania, New York and Geneva Switzerland. She now resides in Arlington with her husband and two cats - the latter of which often show up in her paintings.

"Siamese Muse" oil by Sybil Bedner-Ostrowski

"I have so much to learn. . . so many unknown lands. . . and so little time," she says. As her work continues to evolve, gallery patrons and fans of her work look forward to seeing where she will venture next, literally and figuratively.

--Sandi Parker, Gallery Underground Co-Director