About Sonja

Artist Bio

Sonja Krastman is a native California artist who splits her time between the California coast and the high desert. You will see these influences in her work capturing the serenity of nature alongside the chaos of city life. Sonja works in encaustic, acrylic and mixed media.

"While I have created art my whole life, I have only claimed the title of artist the last decade a I have dedicated more time to my passion. In my professional role as a communications professional, I connect ideas with words and images to communicate. Art for me is very similar but as in storytelling, in art I capture feelings and connect those with the ideas - sometimes abstractly, and sometimes more representationally."

Sonja holds a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and a masters from Gonzaga University and studied art at Cal State University Long Beach, Parsons School of Design in NYC, as well as in workshops with leading artists.

"I thrive on creating visually a mystery that cannot be expressed in words.".

Artist Statement

The world is so nuanced. Nothing is really simple. We are all complex beings with layers and layers of life. It is this idea that drives every piece I make. My work is about allowing the process of mark making direct the work. Just as in life we must allow for the spontaneous and unexpected to enjoy some of the richest moments, so in art too we have to allow that space.

For me, sometimes this results in representational work and sometimes it results in highly abstracted or non-objective compositions. I invite interpretation and others to experience pieces for themselves since we all experience moments differently.

My work is inspired by color, light, composition, mystery and the power of mark making. Layers, like life events and decisions, build the texture of who we are and how our life unfolds. It is this feeling that I like to capture in my art.

ARTIST RESUME

Education

University of California Berkeley - BA

Gonzaga University - MA

Parsons School of Design - Certificate

California State University, Long Beach - Coursework

Exhibitions - 2022

John Wayne Airport Arts Program, Juried Exhibition, Santa Ana, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Centered on the Center, Group Exhibition
Art, Sip and Stroll, Group Juried Art Festival, Yountville, CA - In May - Accepted

Exhibitions - 2021

Twentynine Palms Art Gallery, Joshua Tree National Park Arts , Juried Group Exhibition, CA
Las Lagunas Gallery, Open Theme, Juried Group Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Surfing the Pacific Rim, Juried Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach , CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Inspired 2021, Juried Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA
Las Laguna Gallery, Painterly, Group Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA
Art, Sip and Stroll, Group Juried Art Festival, Yountville, CA

Exhibitions - 2020

Huntington Beach Art Center, Inspired 2020, Juried Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA
Palm Springs Art Museum, Profiled Covid Art, Palm Springs, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Centered on the Center, Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA
Art, Sip and Stroll, Group Juried Art Festival Online, Yountville, CA

Exhibitions - 2019

Huntington Beach Art Center, Inspired 2019, Juried Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA - Work secleted for Event PROMOTIONAL piece
Huntington Beach Art Center, Centered on the Center, Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA -
Huntington Beach Art Center, Surf City Days, Juried Art Festival, Huntington Beach, CA
Art, Sip and Stroll, Group Juried Art Festival , Yountville, CA - Art selected for all promotional material.

Exhibitions - 2018

Las Lagunas Gallery, Botanika, Juried Group Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Inspired 2018, Juried Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Centered on the Center, Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Surf City Days, Juried Art Festival, Huntington Beach, CA
Art, Sip and Stroll, Group Juried Art Festival , Yountville, CA - Work selected for Event PROMTIONAL piece

Exhibitions - 2017

Huntington Beach Art Center, Inspired 2017, Juried Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA
Huntington Beach Art Center, Centered on the Center, Group Exhibition, Huntington Beach, CA
Art, Sip and Stroll, Group Juried Art Festival , Yountville, CA

Venues

BluHazl Lifestyle Boutique and Gallery, Joshua Tree - 2021 /2022
Devynne Flowers, 2021 - ongoing