My work is rooted in the tactile and sensory experiences of life—those everyday moments that awaken us to beauty, connection, and joy. I hold a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University in the same discipline. These formal studies shaped my visual language and gave me the tools to explore emotion, memory, and atmosphere through paint.

After spending two decades immersed in the wine industry, I developed a deep appreciation for balance, nuance, and the pleasures of the table. This career not only refined my palate but also heightened my sensitivity to the interplay between sensory experience and emotional resonance—qualities I strive to bring to my studio practice.

My inspiration flows from many sources, but I return again and again to the spirit of Julia Child. Her exuberance for life, love of food, and belief in the importance of gathering with family and friends deeply inform both the content and process of my work. Like her, I approach my art with a sense of generosity, curiosity, and delight. Through layered surfaces, rich color, and gestural mark-making, I invite viewers to enter a space where memory, pleasure, and presence can be savored.

In painting, as in food and wine, I believe in the transformative power of care, craftsmanship, and joy.

laraisbell@aol.com
256.457.3819