Adjunct art professor and Kent State alumna Sarah Esposito prepares for her first solo show, “Into the Syncline.” This show involves pieces that were inspired by the natural landscapes of what Esposito had seen and experienced throughout her life. The show opens at Kink Contemporary, an art gallery in Cleveland, Feb. 18.

As Esposito went through her creative process, she took the time on each of her pieces at a rather slower pace than usual.

“I’ve been taking more steps to create something a little more intricate,” Esposito said. “I have been experimenting with [different materials and practices] out of my comfort zone.”

Esposito’s pieces derive from her experiences with landscape throughout her entire life. Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains, she continued to use inspiration from her time as a young child: playing and collecting rocks while observing the hills and mountains around her.

“My work is not inspired by a specific place, but from the positive and organic shapes around me,” Esposito said.

As she journaled her inspirations by creating pencil drawings, she began creating her pieces by using a mixture of a bunch of different materials such as plywood, foam and watered-down paint to create the stains. This created an interesting combination of colors that left Esposito satisfied.

“[The stain] is kind of muddy, but kind of beautiful,” Esposito said.

Esposito’s former professor and current Kent State art professor, Gianna Commito, noticed how she works through her pieces

and creates the final product.

“She is very curious and very engaged with the natural landscape,” Commito said. “I’ve been impressed with how much she derived inspiration from beyond her studio walls.”

Commito said she believes that Esposito’s “fun and energetic” personality is presented in Esposito’s work.

Esposito said she is eager to welcome all those who want to come to support her. She feels ready for all who want to enjoy her work.

“Surprisingly, I feel very excited and pretty rested,” Esposito said. “I am excited to be around a lot of people who care about me and my work.”

Danielle Stehle is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].