Phyllis Gorsen
Orange Snake with White Flowers, 2025
Mixed media on canvas in floater frame
13 x 10"

Artist Statement
I'm often asked why snakes appear so frequently in my work, and the answer is simple: I'm captivated by them. Their physical beauty is striking with their patterns intricate, luminous, and often vibrantly colorful. I want to portray them with playful whimsy to celebrate their magical presence.

Snakes possess a strong yet gentle grace, gliding close to the earth with a soft, almost silent hush. Mysterious and ancient, they are vital to the ecosystem, helping maintain balance and serving as quiet companions to the land. Across cultures, snakes carry profound symbolism. Through the shedding of their skin, they represent cycles of renewal and transformation, of healing and rebirth. In Chinese tradition, they are revered as bearers of wisdom, good fortune, and prosperity.
For all these reasons, I seek to capture their enchanting wonderment through my artwork, sharing the quiet awe they inspire and the vivid life they bring to the world.

Artist Bio
Phyllis Gorsen, born in Philadelphia, PA, received her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 2014. Her work has been exhibited nationally, including galleries and museums in New York, Philadelphia, and California. Her exhibitions include a solo public art exhibition at the New York Port Authority and a two-person show at James Oliver Gallery and solo show at Boston Street Gallery in Philadelphia. She has also curated several exhibitions in the Philadelphia region. Over the last couple of years, Gorsen has been featured in many publications including: The Jealous Curator, The Philadelphia Inquirer, ArtBlog and Create! Magazine. She has also been featured on The Inspired Painter and Arts to Hearts Project podcasts. Many of her paintings are in collections throughout the United States. Gorsen currently works out of her studio in Philadelphia.

phyllisgorsen.com

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