Sylvia Megerdichian

Sylvia Megerdichian lets all mediums inspire her to create series of works. Besides her figure drawing in pencil, Sylvia rarely lets one medium dominate an art piece.

“I began painting in pure, transparent watercolor but found that my ideas were better conveyed with mixed media.  The clean, crisp look wasn’t enough for me.  Since drawing is my first love, I started making marks on my watercolors, layering with Caran d’Ache crayons and pencils, which became my language of painting.  Now I’m still layering, incorporating gooey watercolors straight from the tube just as an oil painter would. I have five series that I’ve been working on for some time.  I paint in one series until I have nothing else to say, and then I switch to another.  Since I always have another series waiting for me, I never have painter’s block; my old work is my inspiration.”

Her collages are usually multi-layered surfaces-consisting of scrap papers she has found, ink, paint, and whatever surface media that will enhance her work. Her finished pieces result in a mix of beautiful color, passion, and mysterious places.

“In my Rooftop Series, the idea of diverse cultures and religions living side by side has been the inspiration and the content of my paintings.”

Sylvia also inspires others through workshops that she holds at her Art Box Studio. This year, Sylvia was recognized, along with ten other artists, as “The Most Inspirational Artist (Visual Arts)” by the Upland Community Foundation.

In 1993, Sylvia founded the Art Box Studio in Upland, California, where she teaches, and exhibits her art. Sylvia is certified to teach Dr. Betty Edwards’ unique method, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.  Aside from teaching, she also judges local shows, demonstrates her painting technique, and has curated a show for Square I Gallery in Claremont, California. 

Sylvia has won numerous First Place and Best of Show awards from a variety of local and regional art shows, and in 2008 received Signature Membership from the National Watercolor Society.

To see more work of Sylvia Megerdichian go to artboxworkshops.com