She’s a local artist who’s grown into her talent right here at the beach. Rooted in her craft, Sybil Alfano is a serious painter with a keen understanding of style and form, yet the most fulfilling part of her career is the joy she brings to others when they view her finished work. As the newly named Grand Strand Artist of the Year, Alfano is riding on a self-created and infectious wave of “positivity.”

“I’ve tried to paint content that is uplifting and focuses on the brighter side of life,” Alfano explains. For this artist, that brighter side is expressed through bold colors, broad strokes and an emphasis on light. Her website’s title, “Live, Love, Create,” succinctly conveys both her approach to and the content of her art. “My subject matter usually has something to do with nature, travel, people, beauty in everyday things, and probably the most common theme is coastal lifestyle.”

Alfano’s immersion in the coastal environment began when she enrolled at Coastal Carolina University on a visual arts scholarship. There, she reveled in the dual experiences of challenging studio work and exposure to the Grand Strand lifestyle; learning about painting, ceramics and photography with a bit of surfing on the side was the perfect combination for the aspiring artist.

Early last year, Alfano’s work caught the eye of Alli Bacchus, a local arts promoter who was piecing together an Artist of the Month series for her newly formed organization, Grand Strand Arts. Baccus named Alfano May’s Artist of the Month.

As Bacchus explored Alfano’s work and got to know her, Bacchus realized that the artist and her work are two reflections of the same image.  

Acrylic on canvas or wood is Alfano’s preferred medium, but her list of potential media is as long as the number of people seeking it. “I don’t think we continue to grow if we always stay in our comfort zones,” Alfano states, “so I like to dabble in jewelry making, tattoo design, faux finishing, live painting, web/graphic design—the list goes on. I end up trying something new when someone asks me if I can do it for them. I usually say yes and then figure it out as I go.”      

New artistic challenges not only expand Alfano’s repertoire but also increase her satisfaction in creating art; for her, it’s all about the beholder. “Working with clients to bring their visions to life and seeing how excited they are at the final product are my favorite parts of this job,” Alfano says. “When I started in art, my focus was to express myself and paint whatever I wanted. I’ve learned that doing it that way is good therapy, but it can get lonely. I think it’s really important to still paint for yourself, but it’s much more fulfilling when you involve others in some way.”

And her audience certainly has been getting involved. Last month, Bacchus opened up a competition for Artist of the Year to be selected from the 2012 Artists of the Month. The winner was determined by online voting, as Grand Strand Arts emphasizes the importance of garnering community awareness, support and investment in the local arts scene. The community spoke, selecting Alfano as Grand Strand Artist of the Year at an awards dinner on January 26 at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach.

Alfano was surprised, excited and humbled by the honor, and she attributes the popularity of her work to its accessibility and her interest in sharing her work with others. “I like to think that my work is approachable and pretty straightforward, so a lot of people can relate to it. I’ve also been told that my work makes people feel good, which in return makes me feel good. I think, most of all, I like talking to people and finding out their story.”

Alfano’s work is on display at an eclectic array of area venues including Fresh Brewed Coffee House, Collector’s Café, The Kangaroo Pouch, Mr. Fish, Artful Living Group and Yoga in Common. Her future plans include becoming involved in art licensing. In addition, she foresees an increasing involvement with Bacchus and Grand Strand Arts, finding ways to increase visibility and opportunities for local artists. A seamless blending of community-oriented goals with her own artistic goals fits perfectly with Alfano’s philosophy:  “Much like life, art is always a work in progress.”