Nissa Kauppila was born and raised in the small, rural town of Monkton, Vermont, and her connection to art has always been informed by a sense of community. Though she earned her BFA at the Rhode Island School of Design far from the forests and fields of home, she has remained active in local arts organizations and events. Her passion for collaboration and community involvement led her towards receiving her M.Ed. from the University of Vermont. 

 

Nissa's paintings in gouache and watercolor build on her work in film, as she explores the delicacy of life and chaos in evanescent compositions that find stillness in movement.

 

 

 

Exquisite is the artist's focus on macro subject matter such as the study of single feathers, or single flower blossoms

 

Following many years of teaching design, Nissa is delighted to be painting again: her paintings have been exhibited both locally and nationally. Most recently her paintings have gained attention in the Chinese arts arena which in turn has opened the doors to her accepting a number of artist-in-residency programs in China, where she has been painting and establishing art connections in Mainland China since June, 2015.

 

 

 

Nissa was satisfied with the environment of "1-art valley"

 

She accepted the invitation of the Artist-in-Residence Project at "1-art valley". After a 3-week residence, she wrote: "Being at '1-art valley' and working with the 'kiwisual' staff has been an incredibly rewarding experience. As an artist it's important to find a sense of peace and focus when creating art, and this is exactly what I found during my stay with the organization. The environment around me and the invigorating energy of the programs and people has allowed me to explore my bounties as a painter and artist."

 

 

Nissa took part in the "kiwisual" stonework exhibition in Hong Kong in November 2015

 

Expanding on her sense of curiosity, while exploring the unsettling and concrete, Nissa has found painting the nature of flight and life a rewarding exercise in rediscovery. Being immersed in Chinese art, culture, and the physical environment has highlighted a sense of flow and connectivity in her subject matter; her paintings continue to create a sense of tension and fragility, yet includes a new focus on macro subject matter such as the study of single feathers, or single flower blossoms.  

 

Nissa's stonework "Dream of A Butterfly" has continued her painting of the nature of flight and life

 

 

Video: Nissa Working with the Stone at Arteco