About MOTTASIA

Profile, and Self Portrait

Capturing an essence in oils -- The Daily Local News

West Chester painter exhibits in 2 worlds -- The Philadelphia Inquirer

Gwenn Knapp, who works under the name MOTTASIA, is a versatile artist known for her unique philosophy of portraiture as well as for her richly appealing landscapes and still lifes. Her love for the feel of paint, the play of light and the power of symbols enables her to put the spirit of a person or place in her work. She notes that "a psychic activity seems to enter the process."

MOTTASIA is an interesting study in contrasts: On one hand she is extremely high-tech -- she not only is showing her art and design work on this Worldwide Web site, but she also developed the entire site herself. On the other hand she reaches back into medieval tradition for the basis of her portraiture.

The woman behind the work, who's name is an acronym for Mother Of Three Teens Achieving Success in Art, is a highly articulate spokesperson for the importance of creative self-expression in our lives. She is also a fine example of how a single mother (yes, of three teens) can successfully support a family, against all odds, doing what she loves to do -- through a winning combination of talent, work ethic, willpower and emotional involvement. Those who learn the derivation of the name MOTTASIA often remark that they identify with the struggle of raising a family and also developing their individual talents and interests.

MOTTASIA works in many types of media, but her first love is "participatory" oil portraiture. She helps her portrait clients determine what is of real value in their lives, what symbols best represent them, what colors and landscapes suit their character. The resulting portrait is much more than just a photographic representation. It incorporates the objects, symbols, colors, settings that best characterize, not just the physical, but the emotional and spiritual sides of the subject and helps them to visualize their goals. "This is actually the revival of a very old concept," she points out. "It was very common in medevial times and for several centuries afterward for portraits to contain objects and symbols that the subject wanted to attain or be remembered by. I think it's important -- probably even therapeutic -- for people to send a message, not just about what they look like, but about what they are inside and what their life goals are. This kind of portrait can't be duplicated in a photo because it often involves creating things that only exist in the inner life, imagination and, possibly, the future."

Knapp holds a B.A. in Art from Bucknell University and did post-graduate work at the School of Visual Arts in New York. In New York, she managed editorial production at Seventeen Magazine, and then ran her own graphic design business. She brought her art and communications skills to the Delaware Valley in 1984, expanding her graphic arts studio to serve area businesses. She is currently a member of the Chester Country Art Association, has participated in a number of group and individual shows, and has appeared as a a guest on local Cable TV shows. Her work can be seen in private collections, and at the DeBottis Gallery and HomeWorks in West Chester, PA.

Last update February 2002