About the Artist- Lewis Vincent Pell
Artist Bio
Lewis Vincent Pell, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is firmly connected to the city’s cultural heritage and natural environment. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pittsburgh–Johnstown (2016), with minors in Biology and Geology, and earned a Master of Sustainability from Chatham University in 2020, specializing in Ecology and Resource Management. From an early age, he was encouraged to pursue his interest in the arts.
This early encouragement led Mr. Pell to develop a deep appreciation for both environmental issues and artistic expression, particularly through painting. His commitment to environmental stewardship and creativity has shaped his artistic approach, with each work reflecting his perspective at the intersection of art and ecology. In addition to his accomplishments as a painter, Mr. Pell has curated numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the Pittsburgh region.
In 2023, Mr. Pell was selected as a Deep Ecology Residency Artist with United Plant Savers in Ohio, where two of his artworks joined their permanent collection. That spring, he was inducted into the Pittsburgh Society of Artists. Later that year, he attended the Château d’Orquevaux Artist & Writers Residency in France as an Emerging Artist, receiving the Denis Diderot Grant and the Emerging Artist Grant; two of his pieces are now part of the permanent collection in Galerie Diderot. In Fall 2024, Mr. Pell participated in a residency at Nocefresca in Sardinia, Italy, further extending his international experience. Continuing at the Atelier Artist Residence in Château Bouthonvilliers, France, in Spring 2025. In Summer 2025, he became a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh.
Lewis became a member of the Public Arts and Civic Design Committee for the City of Pittsburgh in the Spring of 2026.
Artist Statement
As a painter with a foundation in ecology and sustainability, Lewis V. Pell’s work explores the profound relationship between humanity and the natural world. Drawing inspiration from diverse sources—nature, literature, history, science, and cultural narratives—Mr. Pell creates pieces that balance contemporary landscapes with elements of surrealism.
Mr. Pell’s artistic practice is deeply informed by his environmental background, yet it remains open to the influence of everyday experiences and global perspectives. Through vibrant color palettes, layered compositions, and nuanced portrayals of light, Lewis aims to evoke both the beauty and fragility of the environments we inhabit. Each painting serves as a visual account of places he has been and stories he ventures to tell—stories that reflect interconnectedness across ecological, social, and cultural dimensions.
Ultimately, his work is a response to an ever-changing world. It strives not only to preserve fleeting scenes but also to spark dialogue about the ties that bind us to our landscapes and to one another.