Biography

Sophie Curtis is a painter and graphic designer from Bettendorf, Iowa. She is a 2024 graduate from Black Hills State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, and a Minor in Marketing.

Sophie loves painting with oils and specializes in realism. She gravitates toward painting what is seen in nature and creating work inspired by Biblical texts. Sophie has exhibited her work in local galleries in Spearfish, South Dakota and has also worked for multiple companies doing graphic design work. Her graphic design experiences range from logo design, web design, social media management, and more. View her portfolio to see examples of her work.

Artist Statement

My work is created with the purpose of honoring the gift God has given me: being an artist. I draw inspiration from my experiences of becoming a Christian and knowing God, as well as Biblical texts. Some of these texts include the story of Jesus’s birth, Jesus’s sacrifice, Noah’s ark, and Moses parting the Red Sea. My journey of forming a relationship with God is depicted in forms of self portraits; this includes parts of my body, my face, or objects that symbolize me. Included in these portraits are symbols that represent God and his presence. I also see God’s presence through nature, and paint landscapes and sky scenes to show that God is the sculptor and creator of this world.

 I work with oil paint and specialize in realism, while also exploring the use of color and texture in my creative process. Oil paint gives me the liberty to blend colors and create eye-catching details in my work. With the paint staying wet for long periods of time, I am able to spend time blending and rendering details to create a realistic effect. I use texture to bring each work to life, and I take liberty in my use of color to manipulate the tone in each painting and to create symbolism.

The meanings expressed in my work pertain to God’s presence, love, and forgiveness. It expresses Biblical stories and my journey of finding my faith. As an artist and a Christian, I feel drawn to use my gift to express God’s love, faithfulness, healing, and constance. I strive to use my work to bring glory to God and to honor him as our creator, as well as demonstrate the wonder his gifts bestow.