Rêverie

In Rêverie, mixed media artist Mila Rossi explores memories of her time spent at an artist residency in Maussane, France, in 2024, through painted and découpaged works on paper. Each original artwork is a glimpse into life in Provence—studies of twisted olive trees, still lifes of fruit from the market, botanical explorations and views of Aleppo pines growing in the limestone cliffs of the Calanques. Rooted in expressive brushwork, this series captures the whimsical musings of Rossi and is a departure from her large abstract paintings on canvas.

Rossi’s creative process begins with cutting her photography into organic shapes and découpaging them onto paper to create each composition. The photographs capture abstract textures and patterns, like those on an unfurling leaf, that intrigue Rossi and connect her to her time in the South of France. With layers of paint, the images evolve beyond what they are and act as memory bridges to a deeper narrative. What emerges is not a direct representation of an object or scene but an abstract interpretation of being in a place, of seeing and feeling beyond the surface.

While nature has always been her inspiration, this series focuses on the essence of a place and the conversation between memory and imagination. Loose, gestural brushstrokes and a soft, earthy palette echo the warm Provençal light to convey the romanticism of the area. Soft blues, greens, ocres and pinks give way to the flowing structure of the artworks to embody a dreamlike state. While each moment of brushwork is intentional, the approach is fluid and lyrical, evoking feelings of nostalgia and rêverie.

About Mila Rossi

Mila Rossi is a mixed-media artist living in Carbondale, Colo. She photographs textures in nature; lichen and moss growing on rocks along mountain trails and streams, etc., and then transfers the photographic images onto canvas, and layers the images with heavy-body acrylic paint.

She finds inspiration in nature. Her artistic process begins by looking for interesting textures, colors and patterns. She captures a magnified image and, up close, the familiar becomes new, abstract, and magical. Lichen or moss transforms into an aerial view of a forest or appears like an underwater landscape. With the richness of paint, the images come alive with tactile layers and amplified colors. Rossi’s studio is located at SAW (Studio For Arts + Works) in Carbondale, Colo.

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