Skyler Solondz

Skyler is a thirty-six-year-old non-binary painter. Skyler made their first piece, Foamed by the Sea, at age seven. While painting this piece, they realized they were different, and its creation was instrumental in them coming out as non-binary. Skyler paints in acrylic and watercolors, sketches in pencil, and designs in clay. Their heart is always at the beach because it is where their true self is at peace.

Skyler’s grandmother, Bernice, created eccentric landscapes and abstract paintings and greatly influenced them as an artist. Grandmother Bern, as Skyler called her, would sit in front of them and paint. She would talk about Van Gogh, Picasso, and other impressionists and teach Skyler one stroke at a time to be themselves and paint with their heart and soul. Skyler took that teaching to heart and has continued their art practice, remaining faithful to the philosophy taught by Grandma Bern.

In Skyler’s words, “She taught me that each stroke shows my true, authentic self.” These stroke patterns in Skyler’s paintings reveal that they use art in two very divergent ways: to deal with internal conflict and to reveal and express their emotions. Skyler believes that their difficulty in fitting in with societal norms has caused a sense of dejection, and art provides a respite in their day-to-day life. The unique stroke patterns are a part of every sui generis piece that Skyler creates to this day.