Stella Im Hultberg works in mixed media; combining ink, watercolor and acrylic to create masterful works of art. Her paintings often depict a peaceful, dreamy woman surrounded by flowers, as though every thought and feeling of the girl is made of the soft petals of these flowers. Hultberg’s use of pale skin tones offset by the strong and vibrantly colored flowers makes her female characters seem even more delicate, as though they are more fragile and vulnerable than even the blossoms that surround them.
The artist prefers using pastel colors in her watercolor bouquets of flowers and leaves. Even the red of a poppy flower is subdued to a pinkish glow. These pastel blossoms, along with the pale skin of her female subjects are outlined with strong, illustrative lines. This style is a kind of grown-up version of children’s books illustrations, and it shows that it is a style that still appeals to adults who have left their childhoods far behind.
Hultberg was born in South Korea, but was raised in Seoul, Hong Kong, Taiwan and California, USA. She has a background in product design, but chose to become a full-time artist in 2005. She now lives in Oregon, USA, where she doesn’t only paint; she also enjoys riding her bicycle, doing crossword puzzles and eating. Because of her international upbringing, Hultberg’s characters are influenced by the facial features found in both the East and the West, and her artistic style shows hints of both Asian art and Western art.
For more art works by Stella Im Hultberg, you can follow her on Facebook or visit her website.