Artist Biography

Xan Koonce is a Dallas-based artist who creates large abstract paintings in multiple mediums.  Koonce worked at Southwestern University in the Office of University Relations for more than 30 years.  She retired as the Associate Director of University Events in 2021 to pursue a full time career as an artist.

Koonce graduated magna cum laude in 2005 from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas with a BA in Studio Art and a minor in Art History.  Over the last decade and a half, Koonce’s work has been represented by multiple galleries including Cerulean Gallery, Laura Rathe Fine Arts, Mary Tomas Gallery among others resulting in more than 30 solo and group exhibitions.  Her current work can be viewed at Cerulean Gallery in Snider Plaza, Dallas, Texas.

Artist Statement

The desire to understand spirituality and its transformational power motivates my work.  My objective is to magnify nature beyond its literal meaning to explore the relationship between nature and spirituality.

My interest is taking the beauty I see and abstracting it to gain greater insight.  Once inspired, I unapologetically apply seductive and radiant colors to my paintings as an expression of growth, strength, control and endurance.  As I paint, my primary concern is conveying a sensual experience through color, line and composition.

I embody the synthesis of abstract expressionism with the palette of Matisse.  It is precisely this fusion of spontaneity and color that leads me to produce a rich and expressive body of work.

All of my artistic pursuits stem from a passion for beauty and a reverence for the power that beauty has to transform life.  I want my art to be a force for all that is positive, inspiring and beautiful.  It’s not likely that my art will change every individual, but it might make one stop and understand that beauty is all around us.

Education

2005 BA, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

Exhibitions

2025   19th Anniversary Exhibition, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, TX, April 2025

2024    Annual Summer Soiree, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, TX, June 2024

2023    Against the Grain, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, TX, September 2023

2023    Annual Summer Soirée, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, Texas, June, 2023

2022    Art Market Hamptons, Cerulean Gallery, The Hamptons, New York, August, 2022

2022    Inner Bloom, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, Texas, March, 2022

2021    Seeking Form: Alumni Art Exhibit at the Sarofim Gallery, Southwestern Univ., Oct 2021

2021    Boots to Bordeaux, F.I.G., Dallas, Texas, Sept., 2021

2021    Off the Grid, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, Texas, Aug.-Sept., 2021

2021 Viridian, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, Texas, April 2021

2020 Out of the Blue, Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, Texas, March 2020

2015 Radius, Cerulean Gallery, Oil Paintings, Amarillo, Texas, March 2015

2014 From Every Voice, Sarofim School of Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, April 2014

2012-2013 Gallery Georgetown, Hill Design + Gallery, Georgetown, Texas, Nov. 2012-Jan. 2013

2011 Perspectives, Hill Design + Gallery, Georgetown, Texas, Oct-Nov 2011

2009 Creative Influences, McNeese State University, Printmaking, Lake Charles, LA, July, 2009

2009 Uncommon Composites, Cerulean Gallery, Oil Paintings, Dallas, Texas, Feb-Mar., 2009

2008-2009 A Common Thread, JSpace, Oil Paintings, Marble Falls, Texas, Oct. 2008

2008 Vivid Imagination, Cerulean Gallery, Oil Paintings, Dallas, Texas, Aug. 2008

2008 Inner Section, Cerulean Gallery, Oil Paintings, Dallas, Texas, Feb. 2008

2008 GX Creative Communications, Oil Paintings, Georgetown, Texas, January, 2008

2007 Colorblinded, Cerulean Gallery, Oil Paintings, Dallas, Texas, Oct. 2007

2007 Texas A & M Medical Research Library, Solo Exhibition of Oil Paintings, College Station, Texas, May – Aug., 2007

2007 Illuminations, Cerulean Gallery, Oil Paintings, Dallas, Texas, Jan. 2007

2006 Spectrum, Cerulean Gallery, Oil Paintings, Dallas, Texas, Aug., 2006

2004 Alumni Art Exhibition, The Fine Arts Gallery, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, October, 2004

2001 The Children’s Hospital of Austin Auxiliary – 2nd Annual Art Exhibition, Renaissance Hotel, Austin, Texas, October, 2001.

2001 Painting Exhibition, Printmaking, Sarofim School of Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, April, 2001

2000 Painting Exhibition, Abstract Oil Painting, Sarofim School of Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

1999 Painting Exhibition, Abstract Oil Painting, Sarofim School of Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

1997 Figurative Sculpture Exhibition, Self-portrait/Abstract Marble Sculpture, Sarofim School Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

1996 Painting I Exhibition, Still Life, Sarofim School Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

1996 Drawing I Exhibition, Sarofim School Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

1995 Ceramics Exhibition, Wheel-thrown Bowls and Ginger Jars, Sarofim School Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas, April, 1995

1994 Ceramic Exhibition, Hand-built Clay Vessels, Sarofim School Fine Arts, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas

Selected Publications

2012    Modern Luxury Interiors, Courtesy of Hill Design + Gallery, Premiere Issue

2011    Luxe Interiors + Design, Courtesy of Hill Design + Gallery

2011    The View, Courtesy of Hill Design + Gallery, December Issue

2011    DG Design Guide, Courtesy of Hill Design + Gallery, Sept.

2011    DG Design Guide, Courtesy of Hill Design + Gallery, Oct.

2009    Modern Dallas, Courtesy of Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, Texas

2008    Art News DFW, Courtesy of Cerulean Gallery, Dallas, Texas, Aug. Issue

Corporate Collections

GX Communications, Georgetown, Texas

Independent Bank, Dallas, Texas

Texas A & M Medical Research Facility, Temple Texas

Flash Photography, Dallas, Texas

Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas