“I began painting in pure, transparent watercolor but found that my ideas were better conveyed with mixed media.  The clean, crisp look wasn’t enough for me.  Since drawing is my first love, I started making marks on my watercolors, layering with Caran D'Ache crayons and pencils, which became my language of painting.  Now I’m still layering, incorporating gooey watercolors straight from the tube just as an oil painter would.
     I have five series that I’ve been working on for some time.  I paint in one series until I have nothing else to say, and then I switch to another.  Since I always have another series waiting for me, I never have painter’s block; my old work is my inspiration.  In my Rooftop Series, the idea of diverse cultures and religions living side by side has been the inspiration and the content of my paintings.”


This quote also appeared in Watercolor Magazine December 2009 which featured Sylvia Megerdichian in the article, "Ones to Watch" by Jessica Canterbury.

     Sylvia Megerdichian is known for her imaginative, semi-abstract watermedia paintings.  She has developed a special technique in which she combines and layers conventional watercolor with Caran d'Ache watercolor pencils, collage and/or ink. Recently her work is mostly on canvas combining collage, acrylic, and Caran d'Ache pencils.

     In 1993, Sylvia founded the Art Box Studio in Upland, California, where she teaches, exhibits her art, and hosts a variety of workshops.  Sylvia is certified to teach Dr. Betty Edwards' unique method, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.  Aside from teaching, she also judges local shows, demonstrates her painting technique, and has curated a show for Square I Gallery in Claremont, CA.  Sylvia has won numerous First Place and Best of Show awards from a variety of local and regional art shows, and in 2008 received Signature Membership from the National Watercolor Society.

     For her artistic endeavors, she has received the City of Upland Certificate of Recognition and the City of Pomona Certificate of Appreciation.  Sylvia was invited to exhibit her art at the Ontario Invitational Art Exhibit 2010.   She is also a two year Master Artist for RIMS California Arts Project.  Adding to her many honors, on October 16, 2010, Sylvia Megerdichian received the UCF Spotlight Award for "Most Inspirational Artist (Visual Arts)," as an individual who has contributed significantly to the arts in the community of Upland, California.

      Sylvia's works have been repeatedly published in Watermedia Focus and Palette magazine.  The 2011 March-April issue of Palette magazine features Sylvia on the cover.  Watercolor Artist Magazine, December 2009 issue, has featured her work as part of the featured article, "The Ones to Watch."  In 2006, the Riverside Art Museum purchased Sylvia's painting entitled "Two Pears" for their collection.  The book, The Artistic Touch 4, has also published her paintings, January 2010.  Sylvia Megerdichian's paintings are in private and corporate collections.