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Artist Crush: Chelsea Bentley James

Monday, March 21, 2011 · 6 Comments

I love these paintings by Chelsea Bentley James which I spotted over at The Jealous Curator. The subject matter (beat-up bathrooms and institutional hallways) is so unassuming and yet James renders her chosen subject (the meaning of which we can only speculate) with passion and profoundness.

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“Painting is a study of our existence, spirit, and environment, derived from experiences in life. I choose objects that evoke childhood memories, create situations of atmospheric mystery, and bring visual interest through interaction. I’m intrigued by subtle shifts in value and color; yet seek a personal interpretation of the objects rather than a replication. Personality is revealed through the process of painting. Abstract remnants from my process remain visible in the final product. The hand must obey the spirit. ” – Chelsea Bentley James

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.Her paintings remind me a lot of Jennie Ottinger’s work.

Doctor by Jennie Ottinger via Johansson Projects

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Kitchen (Scene from Death of a Salesman) by Jennie Ottinger via Johansson Projects

Tags: Art

6 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Bonnie // Mar 22, 2011 at 11:58 am

    Beautiful! Amazing how Chelsea transforms institutional settings to be so lovely.

  • 2 Kate // Mar 22, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    So true! She is super talented!

  • 3 pawling print studio // Mar 22, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    wow, love these! unusual subject transformed. beautiful use of color.

  • 4 cathie // Mar 22, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    absolutely delightful paintings. i love her use of color and the breakdown of the subjects to their simplest form. stunning!

  • 5 Penelope // Mar 23, 2011 at 2:28 am

    These are stunning, I love the colour pallet, particularly in the interiors paintings. Beautiful.

  • 6 Kate // Mar 23, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    you guys are so right! her color palette and simplified forms are amazing!

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