This painting was completed during my Akron Soul Train residency, so technically not that new, but made in 2019 and it hasn’t been widely circulated. “Equinox” 30×30 inches, oil on canvas.
A lot of bits and pieces in this painting were created in 3D modeling software (which I am still getting the hang of) and was then used for reference as a print out. It is kind of nice to be able to control a light source the way you can in modeling programs. After the painting was done I destroyed the print and the image file. It felt more ephemeral that way.
My solo exhibition “Soft Sugars” is now available via Artsy and BoxHeart Gallery in Pittsburgh. The show is up until August 23rd.
I made a little video talking about my painting process and how the whole thing keeps evolving.
As you will be able to tell, I kind of gave up trying to paint with surgical gloves, and I only used them now for varnishing. Also, my cats are pretty darn cute.
While I have a few shows on their way to be de-installed, my newest solo show “Soft Sugars” is on at BoxHeart Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA.
My last show with BoxHeart was about a decade ago and it was of my punk rocker portraits. I’m happy they let me go with my new-ish direction.
This series brings together my interests in botany, microbiology, space, disease, and the evolution of cells. I subconsciously explore the relationships between anatomy, biology, and emerging sciences while creating from my own imagination. They, at times, mirror personal metaphysical occurrences, and, at times, contain a slight nod to art history, such as hints of a baroque landscape or decadent still lives through distorted lenses. They are more virtual reality than actuality.
I delve into the practice and alchemy of oil paint dictating the direction, shaping aesthetic outcomes, and transforming emotional impressions as I go. Insects, flowers, human organs all come from the same process at the core, but within these works I am visualizing their fictional evolution at any given stage comes from instinct. I create my own fragile beings within these little worlds; alien forms mesh with what might be seen under a microscope or through a telescope. They are an artificial nature or a nature that is simply unknown to us, scientized and made more delectable.
In the meantime, I’m so happy to have these features and reviews of the various shows that I’ve done so far in 2019:
Last month I finally took a trip to the place everyone said that as an artist I needed to visit: Italy! And it’s true, the first thing I noticed as the plane landed were the trees. The trees I have been seeing in paintings all my life, but never actually seen for myself; trees that populated the backgrounds of famous paintings or portraits from my art books — here they were!
I had been trying to organize a trip to Tangier and for the second was thwarted by scheduling conflicts and logistical issues. Frankly I was tired, and wanted to go somewhere easy to get to. I love Norwegian Airlines, so at the last minute I went and looked at some direct flight destinations from Boston, and Rome was a brand new one. In fact, my flight was only the second run they had ever completed.
Too be honest, I wasn’t all that interested in Rome because I was more interested Florence. I’m happy to say I spent more time in Rome — because wow, I would have felt like an idiot had I not! Honestly, finding out about the Largo di Torre Argentina cat sanctuary located where Caesar was murdered made me think perhaps Rome would be fun after all!
So my husband and I did both cities and although we liked them both in different ways, I think Rome was more up my alley (and less crowded). It also helped I have an artist friend who has been living in Rome for seven years and it was great to get out to other neighborhoods and go places with someone who knows the lay of the land and tidbits of history everywhere we walked. These amazing sites having been just hanging around for thousands of years of course does not impress the inhabitants very much. The “oh yeah that pyramid at the metro stop is from before the time of Christ” blasé attitude was so funny to me.
Since the trip I have been having a lot of images of giant statuary in my dreams. I preferred the Borgehese Museum over the Uffizi, and was so overwhelmed I think I need at least two more trips there despite how small in size it is.
A strange thing that happened was in wandering the Forum I came upon the first basilica of Saints Comas and Damian. The depictions of them performing surgery was part of what kick-started my interest in medical humanities, so that was a trip!
By the way I highly recommend traveling in April because all of the orange and lemon trees were bearing fruit as well as all the wisteria that was in bloom.
We did get to experience and 80s dance night at a goth/biker/punk bar on the outskirts Florence to pair with the touristy things. I think as usual I overdid it with the museums, and I we only did a portion of my list. Aside from that, there was a lot of shopping in department stores, lots of coffee, and more coffee, and more, and more. Oh and pizza!
I also did something for the first time in about nine years: I walked around in heels without a cane! On uneven ancient streets! And I didn’t fall or die.
It was a great trip and a good getaway as a sort of 18th wedding anniversary celebration. All of this despite the fact I am absolutely terrible at attempting to speak or pronounce anything in Italian (Slavic languages are more my strong suit). More photos below. I took so many, and trust me, this is the edited down batch! And below that a list of places I went or stayed at…
I have a few shows on view in Ohio that are pretty terrific.
Cleveland: Now thru June 28th “Fabulism: Meta-facts and fictions” at Worthington Yards, Cleveland, Ohio. Curated by Liz Maugans.
Join me with artists Laura Bidwell, Kristen Cliffel, Meng-Hsuan Wu, Claudio Orso, Dante Rodriguez, Omid Tavakoli, and Antwoine Washington exhibit in Fabulism: metafact and fictions, diverse outcomes of exploration for our own “escape rooms” that lead us to dreamscapes, future worlds, revisionist fairy tales and new realities.
Akron: Now thru June 14th My show “Ornate Acids” is a solo exhibition as part of the Akron Soul Train fellowship and residency. Gallery Hours are Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the new Akron Soul Train gallery space: 191 South Main Street, First Floor, Akron, OH, 44308
This small show further expands on my biomorphic series, “This series brings together Arabella’s interests in botany, microbiology, space, disease, and the evolution of cells. She subconsciously explores the relationships between anatomy, biology and emerging sciences while creating from her own imagination. Each work, at times mirroring personal metaphysical occurrences, contains a slight nod to art history; be it a baroque curtain or a decadent still life.” I’ll have some brand new large paintings on view.
For the month of March I am excited to say that have been granted an Akron Soul Train fellowship!
I am creating works for a show taking place in Akron, Ohio, later in May, in addition to giving a talk at Crave on Thursday, March 21st. If you would like to attend please register as space is limited.
I will be continuing my biomorphic series and talking about my journey from animation and portraiture, to how being diagnosed with cancer changed the direction of my paintings.
This week I will also be doing an Instagram and Twitter takeover for Akron Soul Train so you can dig my process and then some.
I was recently commissioned to do a few paintings and despite everything going on, I finished them in-time for all of the holidays! It’s still nice to take a break from painting drippy things and test myself with likeness and making a person look as they should.
It’s also nice when a client lets me go off on my own, and trusts me to come up with something cool, even with a photo reference. My work always turns out best when I’m not micromanaged or when changes occur as I’ve already begun. These were primarily done with Williamsburg oil paints.
“Sister and Brother” 14×18″ oil on canvas, and “Katie in Red” 14×14″ oil on linen.
Recently, I was selected as an Akron Soul Train fellow for March 2019. I’ve very exited and I still don’t quite know what I’ll be doing, so this winter is my time think about that.
The fundraiser Winter SOULstice is happening on Thursday, December 6th with lots of works up for auction, including this little 12×12″ painting of mine, Origin. You can attend in-person or bid on the website here.
Akron Soul Train is an artist residency program connecting and empowering the community and artists by granting fellowships that provide resources for all creative disciplines, thereby fostering a more vibrant downtown Akron.
I’m going to London for the first time since 1992. It was Halloween, the first *legal* rave in London I got to dance at for a bit, on top of visiting various house parties. It was a whirlwind 24 hours and forgot all the purchases I made in Piccadilly in my hotel room. I also left my favorite raincoat on a chair in Heathrow. I still think about that raincoat!
This time I don’t plan on any of that happening (ok maybe a house party here or there) as I have a whole five days to spend while my husband launches his third novel at one of the best record stores in the world!
Rough Trade East on Thursday, Oct 18th 7pm to 9pm. Join us for the official launch of “Sunset Trip” presented by Obliterati Press. Q&A with Ashley Norris, and a DJ set by ‘Mojo’ Mills of Shindig Magazine.
Ben and Ashley will be discussing the demise of the record industry, L.A. bands circa Y2k, Cleveland punk, and writing about music. If you’re a fan of bands like The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Beachwood Sparks, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Smallstone, or The Warlocks, you might want to dig it.
The following Saturday Ben will be closing out the Everything Indie Over 40 extravaganza with a DJ set meant to make you dance! This has a lot of special guests — Miki is just one of many — and is something we’ve been excited about.
You can order copies of “Sunset Trip” via Foyles, Amazon, Waterstones, Rough Trade and all the usual places.
The US printing of previous books you can get signed here.
