About the Artist:
By day, Dr. Schoenfeld is an Epidemiologist, on faculty at a medical school in the New York Metropolitan Area.  A graduate of Stony Brook University and the University of Buffalo, she currently resides in New York City.  She began her interest in art at age 5, when she began taking oil painting classes and photographing her family and her environment.  Growing up she was afforded the opportunity to participate in many art honors programs in the public schools.  Her paintings were exhibited at Lever House and the Bloomingdales Clothes Line Show.  She was a photographer for her high school and college year books, has participated in the LI Camera Club, and has won awards for her black and white photography.  Since childhood she has participated in many art courses including offerings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art , the High School of Art and Design, the Albright Knox Art Gallery, and the Art League of Long Island.  Adopting cutting edge technology comes naturally to Dr. Schoenfeld including adopting acrylic canvas and aluminum mounts to her photographic style and using new art mediums in her paintings.  Dr. Schoenfeld is currently a member of the BJ Spoke Gallery in Huntington, NY where her current work is on view and available for purchase.  Giclee prints are available through LIGiclee in Freeport, NY.

Personal Statement

I cannot remember a time when I was not doing something creative.  Artistic inspiration came from my parents, both of whom had careers in the arts and decorating, and my art teachers who kept pushing my limits.   Living in NY I had the opportunity to go to all museum openings with my parents, garnering inspiration from Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, and Ansel Adams.  Motivation continues to come from my husband and mother who encourage me to keep growing as an artist. 

When I was young, my dad and I would play games with materials as I learned what patterns meant, how to “mix and match” colors and patterns in ways that were only limited by the imagination.  Understanding patterns, color and the meaning of repeat patterns has provided a theme for both my art and photography.  My multiple canvas paintings are a direct influence of art my dad and I created together.  The color and patterns that develop from my liquid acrylic pours reflect these early influences as well.  Many of the color influences are a result of the many years of helping my parents to create home designs.
Each time I have had a difficult period in my life an

d need a diversion I escape into the creative process.  For the past 17 years I have lived with chronic pain and disability following an injury and then a car accident.  Modern abstract painting with acrylic paint has afforded me the opportunity to work within my endurance limits while still holding onto the creative process.  This art form helps me to express my love of color, free expression, and spontaneous design.  Having to move as I paint provides therapy.  The flow of the paint and water mimic the sounds of a running brook or waves breaking on the beach, my perfect escape without leaving home.  By concentrating on the creative process, I can focus less on pain and physical limitations and more on mobility and movement as personified in the fluidity of movement in my work.  I have also learned to use the creative process to help my mother keep motivated, active, and moving at age 95.  Art is a great way to engage people in dialogue and the creative process.  Having a project that includes my entire family is a memorable experience that is captured forever on canvas.