Madison Kostoss is a narrative impressionist painter from the small town of Wilmington, New York located in the heart of the Adirondack mountains. Her body of work is centered around advocacy, interconnectedness, and play. In the Spring of 2025, she earned her BA in Art and Art History and Anthropology from St Lawrence University. Since then,Madison has exhibited her work in multiple galleries across the North Country as well as in Brooklyn and Manhattan. She is currently attending a residency with Local Ocean Conservation in Watamu, Kenya.
Artist Statement
In a world where shame and compliance are often forefronted, creative expression becomes increasingly important. It acts as a powerful instrument for deconstructing the myth of isolation. Through art we begin to understand our uniqueness as a part of a greater collective. My work celebrates this kaleidoscopic connection. Utilizing impressionist techniques, I reflect on everyday moments of intimacy and communal connection.
My process is grounded in curiosity, flow, and play. Oftentimes in the art world we talk about “capturing” and “documenting” moments. For me, creative expression is an act of presence more than it is a process of creating clear and definitive end products. I aim to linger in nuance, staying open to the world around me and responding with care. Layering gestural brush strokes of arbitrary color, and observing how these forms interact, allows me to do just that.
The final composition reveals itself as a collection of visual conversations between the materials, stories, and shared experiences that have shaped them. In this light, my work becomes a vibrant celebration of human resilience and community. By engaging deeply with this practice, I hope to move through the world with more intention and awareness, and ultimately inspire others to do the same:)
Contact for Commissions and Other Inquiries:)
maddiepkost@gmail.com
instagram: @madisonkostoss