ARTIST STATEMENT
Based on a full life of aspirations, experiences and recollections, I paint what I feel about what I see. I use oils or oils and cold wax medium to create abstract paintings (not always but usually) that reflect both my understanding and experience of living in both the US and abroad. My process is like a superhighway with ideas flowing all the time until an exit says “get off”. This germination of ideas is ongoing and in constant transition as my knowledge and understanding of my reality evolves with exposure. For me, nothing is off limits; what I see is my truth. Painting is the most challenging thing I have ever done and it is, as well, the most peaceful. I am alternately fascinated, inspired, challenged by what I have experienced in this truly cultural mosaic that is the Southwest. Trained early as a sociologist, my reactions to life in the desert, Southwest history and geography as well as many socio-cultural concerns, flow into my work.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
These days I live just north of Albuquerque, NM, pure desert. It is a great source of inspiration for my art practice. But, I also carry a huge mental portfolio of imagery from my education in the US, Spain and France as well as extensive travels. After an academic career of 30 years, the desert has proved a source of calm, quiet, peacefulness as well as challenging me to extend myself. Along with my art practice, I enjoy promoting the arts and to that end I co-founded the Taos Abstract Artist Collective in 2022 and, as well, co-curated shows in Fall 2022, Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. Additionally, I founded Cerulean, an art caucus/salon based in the greater Albuquerque area. For my wife, Sandy, and me there nothing much better than grabbing our boots, water, sunscreen and hat and heading off for hikes in this extraordinary environment.
© Kari Bell