Inspired by her ecological garden and the tall grass prairies of the Midwest, Ilyssa Wenzel paints abstract reimaginings of her time spent observing and caring for the natural world. In her work she explores botanical forms and atmospheric representations of native flora which drift in and out of focus on the unprimed canvas. Layers of translucent color and patient, meditative mark-making evoke the rhythms of growth, decay, and seasonal change.

Through this process, her paintings become contemplative spaces that invite viewers to slow down and turn inward, noticing the subtle shifts in their own perception and memory.

Ilyssa lives in Chicago and holds a BFA in Art, Media and Design from Depaul University.