Paige Pierson

Artist’s Statement

My work reflects a deep fascination with the interplay of geometry, nature, and memory, blending elements of cultural portraiture with abstracted landscapes. Inspired by the weathered forms of earth-toned architecture and the organic curves of natural landscapes, I use abstraction to distill these elements into their simplest and most evocative forms.

The shapes I depict—rounded domes, angular walls, and expansive skies—often take on figurative qualities, echoing the human form and the stories embedded in cultural memory. These structures shaped by time and tradition, feel simultaneously grounded in place and alive with personality. They are, in a sense, portraits of shared human experience, speaking to resilience, identity, and the quiet power of collective history.

Through warm, muted palettes and soft, diffused lighting, I aim to evoke both timelessness and intimacy. Each painting captures a fleeting moment of light and shadow, creating spaces that feel familiar yet mysterious. My work celebrates the interplay between the built and natural worlds while honoring the cultural imprints left on these landscapes.

Influenced by the Old Masters’ reverence for light as a storytelling tool, I approach my work with a similar intent: to create depth and drama while honoring the subtle beauty of simplicity. Warm, earthy tones and soft gradients of light reflect the passage of time, hinting at a deeper connection between humanity and the spaces we inhabit. The chiaroscuro in my work emphasizes this relationship, revealing not only the physical contours of the landscape and figures but also the unseen histories and emotions embedded within them.

Through this lens, my paintings transcend mere representation, becoming metaphoric portraits of place and culture. They celebrate the enduring spirit of communities and their environments while inviting viewers to consider the ways in which light and shadow can reveal the essence of humanity. Like the great Masters, I strive to create work that is both timeless and intimate, honoring the dialogue between people and the spaces that shape them. 

Artist Bio

Paige Pierson is a New Mexico-based artist whose work explores the intersection of landscape, architecture, and cultural memory. Her paintings merge geometric and organic elements, reflecting a deep connection to the desert landscapes and adobe forms of the Southwest. Through minimal and evocative compositions, she draws on themes of light, place, and storytelling, often infusing her works with figurative qualities and cultural portraiture that speak to cultural identity and resilience.

Having grown up in both Oklahoma and Texas, Paige’s artistic journey began in Dallas, where she attended a performing arts high school which sparked her passion for visual art. She later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from the University of North Texas and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Science, enriching her artistic practice with a thoughtful and interdisciplinary perspective.

Now based in New Mexico, Paige continues to develop a body of work that celebrates the quiet beauty of cultural landscapes and portraiture. Her paintings honor the connection between the natural and built worlds, revealing the spirit and stories embedded within them.