Artist Statement

My Artist Statement

I cannot remember a time when I wasn't making art. It has always been a part of who I am.
I never consciously decided to become an artist — I simply made art, and in doing so discovered my way of being in the world.

For me, art is a way of understanding life and communicating what words alone cannot express. It is a path of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual discovery—a continuous process of exploration, reflection, and learning.
My work reflects an intimate journey marked by both struggle and growth. It seeks to understand our shared past and the common roots that connect us to one another, while remaining grounded in the present moment.
Through the interplay of light and color, I hope my work invites viewers to imagine the future and offers a glimpse of something timeless.

I have always been captivated by light—its symbolism, its beauty, and its extraordinary ability to transform, reveal, and penetrate even the darkest corners and deepest abysses. Light has become both a subject and a metaphor throughout my work, representing hope, renewal, and the enduring presence of grace.

Art is also one of the ways I serve. I strive to be both craftsman and technician, but above all, a servant to the work itself—willing to listen in silence and remain open to discovery, mystery, and unexpected possibilities.

I have learned that my work is at its weakest when I try to possess or control it. It is at its strongest when I approach it with humility, allowing myself to become empty enough to listen, to engage in dialogue with the work, and to trust its unfolding.

For me, making art is a journey of light, love, and continual discovery.
It is a journey of faith that reminds me, again and again, that even in life's darkest moments, there is always light—and that none of us is ever truly alone.
Denise Silva

Below is a one minute video, highlighting my work over the years.