Rachel Bell
Mediums: Mixed Media, Fiber Arts, Sculpture
Studio: 253
Rachel Bell is currently living and working in the Lehigh Valley. After graduating from Tyler School of Art (Temple University) in 2017 with a BFA in painting and drawing, a minor in art history, she immersed herself in the Lehigh Valley art scene. She began working as the front desk receptionist at the Banana Factory (ArtsQuest) and then soon started interning at the Allentown Art Museum in the exhibition and collections department/curatorial. After putting in a year at the art museum, she then went on to work as a gallery assistant at Bethlehem House Gallery. Over the course of 2018, she became a certified floral designer through Temple University. Furthermore, in 2019 she started working under a local florist in the Easton, PA flower shop “Bloomies”. The role as a floral designer influenced her contemporary painting style and brought her work into the 3D realm. In 2020, during the COVID 19 pandemic shutdown, she was able to expand her portfolio and create a body of new work, which was on display in the Bethlehem House Gallery’s Holiday Show 2020. The exhibit included many of Rachel’s mixed media paintings/drawings, floral arrangements/installations, and prints. Currently, Rachel has elevated her role to Assistant Director at the Bethlehem House Gallery, continues to create fresh floral arrangements at 2021’s Best Flower Shop in the Valley, by LV Style Magazine and manages her art practice in Studio 248A at the Banana Factory.
Artist statement
Inspiration for my work is derived from natural and organic elements, such as the floral motif, but also the natural world reclaiming its territory by regrowth, discoloration, and deterioration. All of these elements play a part in my work that deals with collage of media and materials. With this physical or representational quality, I expand on, what I consider, an emotional landscape. There is always a goal to trigger an emotional response or perhaps a range of feelings being experienced, each differently and uniquely, as the viewer absorbs the work. For me, a lot of this type of work continues to deal with the general concept of femininity. There is a lot of symbolism represented in my work. The use of the floral object provides an association with feminine narratives, while certain colors are challenged to new meanings and interpretations being reclaimed by its surroundings. All of my themes are open to interpretation and will mean something different for everyone. I strive for my work to have a strong emotional and shocking voice, as they are also able to provide some sort of comfort.
Artist Gallery
