About
Isabella Stoakes is a surrealist oil painter in Los Angeles, CA, where she lives and works. In her studio she has two practices:painting and hand lettering. She attended Santa Monica College studying Fine Arts, then moved onto Los Angeles Trade Technical-College where she learned the traditional methods of sign painting. She has participated in and directed local galleries in Los Angeles including the LA Tate. Her work was picked to be in the 2021 special edition Observica Magazine. Her multidisciplinary skills have been appreciated in theatre marquees around LA such as The Vision Theatre and Bob Baker Marionette.
Isabella paints thick, confident applications of paint with tactile immediacy to create a sense of frenetic energy and fleeting moments. Preferring palette knives and even her fingers over traditional brushes, she sculpts her creations with a dynamic, hands-on approach, transforming each piece into an extension of her imagination.
Isabella is inspired by pushing her curiosity. She likes to understand how singular concepts can be manipulated and teased before they lose their essence.
Artist Statement
I don’t paint a picture because I want it to mean something. I paint because sometimes the only way to make sense of things is to see them materialize; a visual diary, relating certainty and uncertainty. I'm focused on developing surreal settings and dreamlike sequences.
I primarily work with oil paints due to their richness and durability, especially in stick form for drawing. I tend to stay away from brushes, preferring to use my hands or a palette knife as my main tools. I prefer wood board over canvas to have a sturdy platform to allow for rugged application.