Photography by: Alyssa Roper @alyssaroperphotography
Artist Bio: (Abby Stiglets a/k/a Aby3)
I was born in Fort Worth, Texas and moved to Edmond, Oklahoma to start high school. I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma as an Art Major with a Minor is Psychology.
Portraiture with plants is my focus and use of symbolism in my latest body of work. They touch the light and the dark side of the human mind. Some are about the kindness of sharing knowledge and inspiration. Others, dive into the battle of mental health struggles. I enjoy the beauty of plants and how they grow and change just like us. Devil’s Ivy, being my favorite greenery, because the twist and turns of the vines wind like the mind. We are a lot like plants. Our thoughts can have what feels like seasonal changes. We also need to be watered and feel the warmth.
My psychology background has greatly affected my art. I express many of my feelings for my work through symbolism, like bird cages to represent restraint, anatomical hearts to show vulnerability, and lace for being fragile and delicate. My subconscious thoughts always come through as well. Whenever I create a piece I step back and learn more about myself. I love using strong colors because they help to achieve the initial spark to stop the viewer in their tracks. I like to think of it as a quiet scream.
My paintings are created using water-mixable oil paints called Max by Grumbacher. They have the advantages of oil paint without the use of pungent solvents and can be mixed with acrylic paint and/or oil paint. I have recently started painting on panels and wood, I enjoy it more than canvas due to its texture since it is not porous like canvas, but still has a tooth to it.
My art is full of influences. I am inspired by the surrealist work of Salvador Dali, the women featured in Gustav Klimt’s pieces, Frida Kahlo’s reflective self-portraits and pop surrealist artists like Mark Ryden, Lori Earley, Greg "Craola" Simkins, and Naoto Hattori. I also love work from old masters of the early Renaissance. My favorite is the, "Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli. I study and explore the fashion of women of all decades and analyze the couture pieces of today. My favorite designers are Alexander McQueen, Helmet Lang and Valentino. I also appreciate all iconographical religious art like Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism.
P.S. A big question many people always ask me is why do I sign my work, "Aby3". It is a tribute to my childhood. I am a true believer that things happen in 3s; as it has for me. So, back in the 90s I started signing my name that way and decided never to change it due to it's sentimental value.
