ARTIST STATEMENT
My name is Linda LaBella and I am an abstract color field artist based in New York City. My work primarily involves the use of oil paint on canvas, creating immersive visual experiences that blend abstraction with thematic imagery drawn from my past experiences and visual memory cues. My artistic practice is deeply influenced by the interplay between memory and perception. Drawing from personal experiences and subthought landscapes, I create works that evoke a sense of nostalgia and introspection. The themes in my work often revolve around the fluidity between clear, solid memories versus the passage of time that distorts memory, and the emotional resonance of color.
Through my work, I hope to invite viewers into a contemplative space to experience a new type of encounter, where we can connect with our own memories and emotions. Each piece serves as a visual diary, inviting reflection on the moments that shape our personal narratives.The most important element of my process is the assumption that my subconscious mind has something to say and I have the technical skills to coax it into existence. I count on it.
BIO
Linda LaBella, a native of Oyster Bay, New York, is a versatile artist, celebrated for her work in painting and mixed media. A passionate naturalist and birder, her art is often inspired by the beauty of the natural world.
LaBella's artistic journey has taken her across the globe, with solo exhibitions in prominent art hubs such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Japan, and Guadalajara, Mexico. Her work has also been showcased in numerous group exhibitions worldwide.
At California State in Sacramento, LaBella had the privilege of learning from renowned St. Louis painter Oliver Lee Jackson who enriched and encouraged her artistic journey, perspectives and experiences.
At Stanford University she received an MFA under the mentorship of acclaimed Bay Area painters Nathan Oliveira and Frank Lobdell.
For nearly four years, LaBella immersed herself in the vibrant artistic scene of Guadalajara, Mexico. During this time, she taught painting and printmaking at the Instituto Cultural Cabañas and shared her passion for art history at the Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Returning to the United States, LaBella was invited for a summer printmaking residency at CW Post College. She also shared her expertise by teaching printmaking and drawing at the esteemed Brooklyn Museum in New York City.
Fueled by her frequent travels to Mexico, where she finds inspiration in the rich tapestry of history and culture, as well as in the observation of birds, LaBella continues to create art in her Tribeca studio in NYC. She is drawn to birding expeditions whenever and wherever possible, finding solace and creativity in the natural world.