Colleen Hoffenbacker
Colleen Hoffenbacker’s work explores floral motifs, drawing inspiration from the stunning natural beauty and thriving tech culture of her region. With a commercial art background and more than 20 years of experience painting from nature, Hoffenbacker possesses a profound understanding of the intricacy and beauty of the natural world, as well as the impact of human activity on the environment. Her botanical paintings delve into the evolving relationship between nature and technology, utilizing both traditional and digital mediums to capture the delicate essence of the natural world.
Hoffenbacker lives and works in Bellingham, Washington. After a successful career in graphic art and vintage poster restoration, she studied traditional realism at the Academy of Classical Design. Her work is recognized in the permanent Lunar Codex collections, the first curated art mission to include female artists from around the globe on the surface of the moon. She is an award-winning artist, a Member with Distinction of American Women Artists, and a member of Women Painters of Washington. Her oil paintings have been featured in galleries, museums, and private collections, supporting the conservation efforts of environmental organizations.
Artist Statement
These floral paintings envision a fertile, fantastical garden, reflecting the transformative power and diversity of the natural world. My hope is that the unusual color combinations, abstract shapes, and intricate details spark a sense of curiosity, wonder, and new possibilities. I meticulously hand-paint each flower as an act of mindfulness, aiming to transport viewers into a space for contemplation about our shared hopes for the future. The Renaissance's biophilic ethos and spirit of imagination hold significance in my classical painting, conceptually bridging the early machine age's admiration of nature's designs with the potential for our new machine learning era to align with ecological balance and the flourishing of creative expression. My goal is for the work to foster dialogue about how we can all play a role in cultivating a more sustainable, harmonious world—where human creativity, technology, and nature thrive together through compassion for our planet and one another.
What is your first memory of creating?
At six years old, the thrill of having one of my drawings chosen for a children's museum show marked the start of my artistic journey. During that visit, classical works in the museum's permanent collection caught my eye, shaping my artistic aspirations. This early exposure became a pivotal moment, inspiring me to later embrace the fundamentals of realism in my work. When I am painting, I still tap into that sense of magic and wonder I felt back then in the museum.
What is your relationship to your medium? What draws you to it?
My chosen medium is oil, a timeless material that has fascinated artists throughout history, especially during the Renaissance. The invention of oil paints in that era revolutionized art, offering a wide color palette, diverse textures, and enhanced blending capabilities. The tactile nature of this medium mirrors the light-transmitting essence found in stained glass and flora. Its beauty, richness, and archival qualities continually draw me in. Studying the Italian Renaissance has deepened my fascination with its spirit of hybridization, imagination, and innovation, and I see parallels with today's technological renaissance. This inspired me to merge my backgrounds in commercial and fine art, combining traditional techniques with modern digital and AI tools—it's like bringing together the best of both worlds.
What is the main thing you hope your audience takes away from your art?
I strive to offer a serene escape from life's complexities with a mesmerizing synthesis of nature’s grace and digital enchantment. Using digital imagery infused with AI elements as the foundation for my paintings creates a realm where every petal holds an otherworldly secret, evoking a sense of wonder waiting to unfold. Through intricate floral motifs, I guide viewers on a journey of curiosity, inviting them to explore captivating mysteries intertwined in each work. It's an invitation into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, leaving a trail of fascination and a lasting sense of amazement.
Tell us about a challenge you overcame last year.
As an artist, continual growth and pushing boundaries define my journey. Last year felt electric as AI art models emerged onto the scene, opening portals to creative dimensions overnight. Embracing the ever-evolving nature of my studio craft and the continual advances in technology, I find that the essence of being a visual creative lies in the commitment to constant exploration and forward momentum. This intrinsic challenge, rather than a hindrance, serves as a driving force, propelling me to continually seek new inspirations, techniques, and avenues for creative expression.
What is your main goal or resolution this year in terms of your art practice?
My focus this year is to deepen my artistic practice, refining techniques and exploring diverse themes. I aspire to create work reflecting my current voice, emphasizing growth and evolution. Balancing tradition with experimentation, my aim is for the art to strike a resonating chord with contemporary and future audiences shaped by AI. The goal is to encapsulate genuine emotions, fostering a connection that endures the passage of time.
