About

Desiree Schanding Art, Mount Vernon, WA

Art has supported my mind and spirit since childhood. I recall, like so many other artists, imagining myself swimming in the colors on my palette of paint. My artistic journey has led me through my BFA and MFA where I pursued photography and non-toxic printmaking. I have taught at various colleges as an adjunct and I even tried my hand at teaching high school art. Whew!

At my core, I'm an artist who loves all forms of art. Currently I focus on many 2d mediums. Mainly with acrylics, I paint on canvas, wood panel and paper. I draw and paint with oil pastel and soft chalk pastels. I gelli print and use myriad other media to create, including digital illustration.

But, why? I'm interested in material of course, the textures and fluidity of paint on canvas. But I also have stories to tell. The women in many of my pieces are strong and bold. They take up space with their bodies while navigating the knife-like, desert-like landscapes around them.

My landscapes are explorations in color and texture. Imagainary places when one can feel free to image whatever they want.

I even explore punk music and culture within a subset of my art. I want to make whatever inspires me and my hope is that you will find something here that resonates with your heart and mind. A piece of you that you forgot existed.