About

Artist Statement

I am an abstract painter who utilizes a variety of media while experimenting with texture and unconventional materials. Prevalent themes within my work are the passage of time, the human body mimicking nature through fractals, and duality in many aspects of life.

Acrylics enable me to paint in thick layers. As I add each layer, I use my intuition in order to further develop a composition. Through this build-up of material, I am able to create a dense texture that conveys the passage of time to the viewer. Themes of life and confrontation are perpetuated by the protrusion of paint, creating a sense of tension between both the viewer and the work itself. I am very drawn by how the human body mimics nature. It does so through repeating patterns called fractals. An example of these fractals are spirals and branching patterns. Spirals are seen in human blood cells, as well as in shells and flowers. The branching of our blood vessels and bronchial tubes mimic the growth patterns of trees. Veins and roots appear in almost all of my recent work. These similarities in structure emphasize our human connection to nature. We are all governed by the same cycle of life and death, and will inevitably return to the Earth in time.

Artist Bio

Keara Rappold was born on December 5th, 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, with a minor in Entrepreneurship at Mount Mary University. Rappold uses heavy-body acrylic paints as well as a variety of mixed media in her work. She creates highly textural and abstract pieces that discuss inherent patterns in nature, the fragility and harshness of life, the passage of time and regeneration. Rappold wishes to travel extensively in the future, and find work that aims to increase the accessibility of arts in the community.