Paula DeStefanis
Contemporary Art
About Paula
Image courtesy of Stephanie Bartz Photography
Bio
Paula DeStefanis is an American artist celebrated for her detailed abstract paintings. Married to British photographer Adrian Spinks, she splits her time between Wisconsin and the UK, which enriches her artistic journey. Using both acrylics and oils, she adeptly utilizes repetition and layering techniques to delve into themes of time, duration, and transformation. Her creative process encourages a thorough exploration of concepts from various angles. Her artwork honors the tactile and emotional qualities inherent in each medium.
After dedicating 25 years to the North Shore Academy of the Arts and the Arts Mill, Paula has retired from her impactful roles within the arts community. As the Founder and Director, she led various art and educational programs for both organizations while also curating and overseeing exhibitions. She continues to hold a studio at The Arts Mill. In addition she has taught a myriad drawing and painting studio courses at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and various other institutions
Paula has an extensive national exhibition and sales record spanning over three decades, With over 35 years of experience as a practicing artist, she now dedicates her artistic practice to full time studio work. Her current focus on studio work allows her to delve deeper into her artistic process, exploring new techniques and ideas that challenge and inspire her. Through her art, Paula invites viewers to join her on a journey of discovery, where the past and present converge in a celebration of life's beauty and complexity.
Artist Statement
My artwork pays tribute to the convergence of the past and present, the imagined and the tangible, the overlooked and the enduring. I am fascinated by the physical changes and the marks left by the passage of time. I am especially drawn to the patinas that emerge where architectural forms meet environmental elements, unveiling a history characterized by evolving colors and textures. These surfaces, whether intentionally crafted or naturally formed, resonate deeply both visually and poetically in my paintings.
As I evolve, my goal is to express the experience of being an aging woman in a society that often overlooks this perspective. Having dedicated my life to others, I am now aiming to shift the focus of my art onto my own personal journey.
Ultimately, my work reflects the human experience, celebrating our shared heritage and inviting viewers to find beauty in the imperfections and transformations that time brings. Through my creations, I hope to remind others that every mark, every faded shade, and every weathered surface tells a story worth sharing.
Galleries
Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, WI
Woodland Studio Gallery, Stoughton, WI
Pink Llama Gallery, Cedarburg, WI Good Day Art Gallery, Oconomowoc, WI Arts Mill, Grafton, WI
Residencies
2025 ArtServancy, Port Washington,WI
2023 Château d’Orquevaux, Orquevaux, France
Selected Interviews & Publications
Artsy Shark: Featured Artist
Authentic Obsessions: Creating
Authentic Obsessions: European Travel
Woodview Mural: 2022 Mural
2023
Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Berlin, Germany
2022
Art Folio 2022, Texas
Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Berlin, Germany
2021
Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Berlin, Germany
2020
Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Berlin, Germany
Alchemy Literary Magazine, Portland, Oregon
The Good, The Bad and the Beautiful, IG Live Interview, Paris, France
Oncata Talent Agency, FB Live Interview, Milwaukee WI
Authentic Obsessions – Podcast Interview, ITunes
Artsy Shark – Featured Artist Interview
2018
Artistic Profile – The Baron, Ozaukee County Magazine
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, BFA
The Museum School, Boston
SHOWS AND INSTALLATIONS 2025 Discover Wauwatosa - Public Art Installation 35th Annual Midwest Seasons, Center for Visual Arts, Wausau, WI.
2024 34th Annual Midwest Seasons, Center for Visual Arts, Wausau, WI. The Art of Water, James May Gallery, Milwaukee WI MIAD Exhibit - Komatsu Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2023
36th Annual Northern Art Competition- Nicolet College, Rhinelander, WI From This Point Forward - MIAD Gallery at the Ave, Milwaukee, WI
2022
TMA Contemporary Exhibition - Trout Museum of Art, Appleton, WI Catch 22 - MARN, Milwaukee, WI MIAD Exhibit - Komatsu Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2021
Abstract Visions - Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor WI Color Candy - Art Bar, Milwaukee, WI
2020
Abstract National – Mark Arts, Mary R Koch Arts, Wichita, KS
Abstracts Matter – 311 Gallery, Raleigh NC
2019
Invitational Group Show – Re-Visions Gallery, Kenosha WI
Makers Market – James May Gallery, Algoma WI
Paula and Sara’s Playlist – The Arts Mill, Grafton WI
Polished – Scout Gallery, Milwaukee WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Artless Bastard – Dreams, DePere WI
Re-Visions Gallery – Inaugural Juried Exhibition, Kenosha WI
The Art of Water – James May Gallery, Algoma WI
2018
Pfister Holiday Market, Milwaukee WI
Guest Artist – artZ Gallery, Amery WI
The Modern Landscape – Redline, Milwaukee WI
Wall of Flowers – Gallery 224, Port Washington WI
Makers Fair – James May North, Algoma WI
Small Show – The Pink Llama, Cedarburg WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
2017
Robertsbridge Art Exhibit, Robertsbridge, United Kingdom
Surfaces – Schlueter Art Gallery, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee WI
Eclectic Meanderings – Oconomowoc Art Center, Oconomowoc WI
Group Show – Pfister Pop up Gallery, Milwaukee WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
2016
Altered Images – Two Fish Gallery, Elkhart Lake WI
Architecture – The Pink Llama, Cedarburg WI
2015
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Brown Deer – Public Installation, Brown Deer WI
Grafton – Saxophone Banner Installation, Grafton WI
2014
Small Show – The Pink Llama, Cedarburg WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
2013
Abstract II – Brickton Art Center, Chicago Il
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show Cedarburg WI
2012
Grafton – Guitar Banner Installation, Grafton WI
Shorewood – Heart Sculpture Public Installation, Shorewood WI
Parallax Art Fair-Parallax London Exhibit Chelsea UK
Parallax Art Fair-Parallax Soho Exhibit Soho NY
WRAP – University of WI Madison, Madison WI
Abstraction – Brickton Art Center Chicago, Il
Drawing the Line – Gallery 224, Port Washington WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
2011
MIAD – Alumni Show, Milwaukee WI
MARN Holiday Show, Milwaukee WI
Grafton – Rain Barrel Public Installation, Grafton WI
Group Show – Schauer Arts Center, Hartford WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Artibles – Milwaukee Resource Center, Milwaukee WI
2010
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Grafton – Dog Days of Summer Public Installation, Grafton WI
Breast Cancer Showcase Home, Milwaukee WI
2009
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Breast Cancer Showcase Home, Milwaukee WI
2008
Hang it up Gallery-Woman’s Show, Neenah WI
Breast Cancer Showcase Home, Milwaukee WI
Miniature Show – Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Oshkosh Fine Art Association Show, Oshkosh WI
2007
Breast Cancer Showcase Home, Milwaukee WI
Oshkosh Fine Art Association Show, Oshkosh WI
2006
Breast Cancer Showcase Home, Milwaukee WI
Madison Art Square, Madison WI
Green Bay – Public Installation, Green Bay WI
Oshkosh Fine Art Association Show, Oshkosh WI
2005
You Gotta Have Art – Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Artpost – Blackbird Show, Grafton WI
Racine Downtown Association-Public Installation, Racine WI
Downers Grove Art Association, Downers Grove IL
A Gift by Hand – Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson WI
2004
Racine Downtown Association-Public Installation, Racine WI
Audubon Art Fair, Bayside, WI Merit Award recipient
A Gift by Hand – Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson WI
Cedarburg Arts Guild – Fall Juried Show, Cedarburg WI
Juried Group Exhibition, Grafton WI-Juried Exhibit, Grafton WI
2003
Blues – Artpost, Grafton WI
2000-2018
Harvest Fest, Cedarburg WI
Strawberry Fest, Cedarburg WI
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS/PUBLIC ART
Village of Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa WI Montage Corporation, Milwaukee, WI
Richards Elementary School, Whitefish Bay, WI
Bayshore Town Center, Glendale WI
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, Milwaukee, WI
Thorsen School, Cedarburg, WI
Ventique London, England
IHB Limited, Kent, England
AWARDS & GRANTS
2023 Denis Diderot [A-i-R] Grant, France 2023 Recipient of the Mary Nohl Suitcase Fund, Milwaukee, WI 2019 Honorable Mention - Little Show, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg, WI
2019 Honorable Mention – Inaugural Juried Exhibition, Kenosha WI
2017 Recipient of the Mary Nohl Suitcase Fund, Milwaukee WI
2017 Merit Award Best of Show – Ozaukee County Art Show, Cedarburg WI
2016 Best of Show – Cedarburg Arts Guild, Cedarburg, WI
2015 Merit Award Best of Show – Ozaukee County Art Show, Cedarburg WI
2012 Recipient of the Mary Nohl Suitcase Fund, Milwaukee WI
2012 Merit Award Best of Show – Ozaukee County Art Show, Cedarburg WI
2011 Merit Award Best of Show – Ozaukee County Art Show, Cedarburg WI
2006 Voted among the most influential in the Milwaukee Art Scene by Journal Sentinel Online
2002 Merit Award Best of Show- Audubon Art Show, Bayside WI
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE in SCHOOLS
2024 Kewauskum Middle School, Kewauskum, WI 2022 Woodview Elementary, Grafton, WI 2019 University School, River Hills, WI
2017 Parkview Elementary, Cedarburg, WI
2014 Richards School, Whitefish Bay, WI 2013 Brandon School, Brandon, WI
2012 Westlawn, Cedarburg, WI
2011 University School, River Hills, WI
2010 Deerfield School, Oak Creek WI
2009 Thoreson Elementary School, Cedarburg WI
LECTURES
2024 Schlueter Art Gallery, WI Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI 2018 Schlueter Art Gallery, WI Lutheran College, Milwaukee, WI
2014 League of Milwaukee Artists, Milwaukee WI
Copyright © 2025 Paula DeStefanis - All Rights Reserved