When the school week ends, Spanish teacher Denise Dietrich de Stolte puts aside her lesson plans and retreats to her shining studio, a cozy room with windows on all sides where golden light covers every surface. Surrounded by warmth and color, she finds peace in creating abstract paintings and ceramics.
(Señora de Stolte )
De Stolte says that her art brings her both joy and peace of mind. What began with ceramics has expanded into painting, most commonly abstract pieces, “It’s more abstract paintings,” she said. “The last ones I did were about Philadelphia; they were collages and paintings combined.”
(Senora de Stolte’s)
She winds down after school and spends most of her free time on weekends in the studio, which is when she says she can fully focus on her work. She stated that her form of art is called “Constructivism,” which was a style of art created by Joaquín Torres-García. Senora Stolte actually had classes in Mallorca, Spain, with Alcero Riberio, a pupil of Joaquín Torres-García. Constructivism is, “The study and incorporation of basic geometric structure (Constructive) in the ancient and modern world creates the ability to create art that will be meaningful (Universal) to anyone who has viewed his artworks.”
(Senora de Stolte)
Señora de Stolte said her hobby began this past summer after being inspired by her son, who recently started interning at a clay studio in Philadelphia. He originally wasn’t on that career path, but discovered a passion for pottery through SCH and encouraged her to also try it. In fact, Ms. Bridget was the pottery teacher who introduced her son to the art of pottery. Señora de Mrs. Stolte said she’s not as good with the spinning clay board, but she fell in love with paintings and ceramics. It began as a fun summer activity and quickly became an important part of her relaxation. Now, she often spends her weekends experimenting with new ceramic designs or working on abstract paintings.
Since her pottery journey began, de Stolte’s skills and styles have continued to evolve. Her early projects were simple bowls and clay pieces, but she has since begun exploring more complex structures, such as indigenous figures for a new house in Costa Rica, as well as abstract vases. She also started to blend her love of ceramics with her interest in painting, creating mixed pieces that she loves.
