I create art to hold onto Indian Valley. To heal the loss after the Dixie Fire in my heart and the Lost Sierras we call home.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I am most drawn to pen and ink, where fine lines bring out the spirit of Sierra Nevada flora and fauna. I also work in watercolor, acrylic, and carving, but I return to ink for its raw honesty. My work often blends natural forms with subtle mystical symbolism, creating pieces that feel both grounded in place and touched by something unseen.
Where do you find inspiration?My inspiration comes from the Sierra Nevada, especially Indian Valley and the landscapes shaped by the Dixie Fire. I’m inspired by regrowth, resilience, and the quiet stories held in plants, animals, and ash-covered earth. I also draw from personal experience, local history and the beauty that surrounds me.
What would you do with $25,000?I would invest in expanding my studio and materials to deepen my work, including professional tools for printmaking, painting, and carving. Funds would also support documenting and sharing Sierra Nevada ecosystems through my art, creating a cohesive body of work rooted in place. Additionally, I would build a sustainable platform to sell and exhibit my work, ensuring long-term growth for Belle Star Fine Arts.
Vote for Bobbie Stoy to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
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