Penny Torres

Penny Torres, (Nanaimo B.C), makes paintings, media art, mixed media and conceptual artworks. With a symbolic approach, Torres makes work that generates diverse meanings.  

Art and strong writing skills were instilled into her family life from a very young age. Her mother was a highly skilled and creative artist with a focus on impressionistic landscapes. Her father was scientist, musician and an intellectual. Together they allowed Penny to cultivate a unique perspective in life that would later drive her own exploration as a visual artist and writer.

Subject matter ranges from impressionistic object study to an examination of body language and facial expressions. Her paintings question the diverse interpretations of the way people view different scenarios. Light, shadow and colour, play an important role in creating emotional atmospheres.

Her works focus on connecting the subconscious with the conscious. As a result the artist can express her own interpretation without being hindered by historical reality. By studying sign processes, signification and communication, she tries to approach a wide scale of subjects in a multi-layered way.

 Her works directly respond to the surrounding environment and uses everyday experiences from the artist as a starting point. Often these are framed instances that would go unnoticed in their original context.

I believe being an artist is not about just making pictures. It's a lifestyle, an understanding and a passion for making images with a message. My focus in art is to always keep learning and pushing the boundaries to create better art through personal growth.  Psychology, environment and emotion are themes I often explore. Acrylic and mixed media are my preferred mediums but throughout my career I've explored and played with many different materials.