GALLERY NEWS

In this conversation with Sabrina Stiles and Ann Korologos Gallery, explore the artist’s thoughtful approach to landscape, storytelling, and the quiet moments that often go unnoticed in nature. Known for pastel works that capture shifting light, subtle atmosphere, and the occasional touch of humor, Stiles reflects on the inspiration behind her intimate scenes, the balance between tradition and experimentation in her process, and how learning to trust her voice as a woman artist has shaped the work she creates today.

Your pastels often explore subtle moments in nature, and some have a hilarious and clever title! What draws you to these quiet scenes, and where does your humor come from?

It’s a bit funny — living in Colorado, surrounded by incredible vistas and the grandeur of the Rockies, it’s often the small moments that capture my attention most. Little vignettes of changing light, reflections, or a quiet pause in the landscape are what draw me in. I’m captivated by these simple scenes that others might miss at first glance.

The humorous titles — paired with paintings of farm animals — come from imagining a little story that relates to the scene. If it makes me smile, I hope it makes others smile as well. I’d usually rather paint than write, but the dialogue pops into my head and amuses me. In a sense, every painting is a story—whether it’s a fleeting moment in the landscape or a day in the life of a farm animal. I hope viewers find something in those stories that feels familiar or relatable.

How do you navigate tradition and innovation in your work? 

I will always be a student first. I’m constantly studying the work of other artists, and their processes definitely inform my growth. However, remaining curious and taking risks is what keeps me engaged. My work is a constant conversation between tradition and staying open to my own creative curiosity.

What ideas or moments inspired these works? What is your creative inspiration in this moment? 

I’m fascinated by the changing atmosphere — how light, reflection, and sky transform even familiar places. A fleeting color shift or an unexpected reflection can become the seed of a painting. Often the memory of the moment matters as much as the scene itself. Of course, my love for and curiosity about animals plays a role in my more humor driven work.

How do you approach capturing atmosphere in a landscape?

For me it’s largely about relationships — values, color temperature, and edges. Atmosphere emerges when those elements support each other. I often simplify the scene so the light and color can carry the emotional weight of the piece.  It takes time. Revisiting a piece, letting it rest, reworking it until it feels right.  Photographs never quite get it. They tend to enhance values by darkening shadows and getting rid of the subtle nuances in the sky. As a painter, I’m constantly observing so I can capture that atmosphere and light in my paintings.

This exhibition highlights the women artists represented by the gallery. How has your experience as a woman shaped your artistic voice or perspective?

As a woman, I initially found it a challenge to trust that my voice was important and to be brave enough to get it out there. Navigating that hurdle has translated into a strength and fearlessness in my art today. I think many women artists have historically had to carve out space for themselves in the art world, and that persistence becomes part of your voice. For me, it has encouraged independence and curiosity — qualities that help keep the work evolving. Learning to trust my artistic voice has been incredibly freeing; it opens the door to a deeper joy in the process, which I believe is ultimately reflected in the finished work.

Are there women artists — historical or contemporary — who have influenced your work?

Whether it’s Joan Mitchell’s bold abstraction or Dinah Worman’s unique contemporary Western perspective, I am constantly inspired by women artists who bring a strong, unapologetic point of view to their work. There are so many I admire and who I hope influence my own practice. Loriann Signori, Karen Margulis, and Margaret Dyer are pastelists whose work has undoubtedly influenced mine in one way or another.  I’m probably leaving someone out here but there are just so many incredible women artists today!

What perspectives do you bring to contemporary Western or landscape art that may have historically been overlooked?

Western landscape art has often focused on the grand spectacle — the massive, sweeping vistas and the ruggedness of the wilderness. While I’ve fallen in love with the wide-open spaces here in Colorado, my perspective is a bit more intimate. I think that comes from growing up in Michigan; the nurturing, enclosed feeling of the forest taught me to look for smaller details.

I also think my experimental nature and my sense of humor are perspectives that enhance the work I create. I love adding a bit of a ‘wink’ through my titles or the way I depict animals. By combining a deep respect for traditional techniques with a willingness to play and take risks, I hope to offer a version of the West that feels both timeless and human.

If your work in this exhibition could start a conversation with the viewer, what would you want that conversation to be about? 

Ultimately, I’d want the conversation to be about joy. I love the idea of a painting bringing someone a bit of happiness when they look at it. We could all use a little more joy in our lives, and I hope these pieces serve as a reminder of that.