About the Artist- Lewis Vincent Pell
Artist Bio
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. I attended Pittsburgh Public Schools and graduated from Barack Obama Academy of International Studies High School in 2012. In 2016, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, with minors in Biology and Geology. In 2020, I earned a Master of Sustainability from Chatham University specializing in Ecology and Resource Management.
From an early age, I was encouraged to explore and develop my passion for the arts. This exploration blossomed into a profound love for the environment and artistic self-expression through painting. As a self-taught artist, with a growing understanding of the environmental issues our planet faces, my dedication to the craft of acrylic on canvas officially launched in 2017, when I was commissioned to create a beach landscape for private viewing. Over 600 paintings later, with close to 300 sold, I am an artist who learns and grows through my expression of each subject matter.
I started to gain curatorial experience in 2023, arranging a number of both solo and group exhibitions throughout the City of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. In 2023, I was selected as a Deep Ecology Residency Artist with the United Plant Savers Organization in Rutland, Ohio, USA, whom obtained two pieces for their private collection of work. I was accepted into the Pittsburgh Society of Artists in the Spring of 2023. In the Fall of 2023, I attended the Chateau Orquevaux Artist & Writers Residency in France, as an Emerging Residency Artist and recipient of the Denis Diderot Grant, as well as the Emerging Artist Grant. I have two pieces in the Permanent Collection of Chateau d’Orquevaux International Artists & Writers Collection, to be hung in the Galerie Diderot Chateau Orquevaux France. In the Fall of 2024, I was selected to attend a two-week artist residency with Nocefresca in Sardinia, Italy.
Artist Statement
I am self-taught. My work is primarily acrylic on canvas paintings, done with brush work and on occasion pallet knives, and sometimes even plant life or organic materials. I have experimented with various mediums, techniques and materials, of which acrylic on canvas has been my primary vocation. In addition, sketching and photography have been foundational to my painting method, allowing me to capture and explore scenes, messages and designs for pieces. The diversification of my work, ranges from landscapes to abstracts, portraits and still-lives.
Although my academic background has been prominent in my work, influences come from an array of sources including pop culture, literature, history, science and others; my goal is to learn, always progressing from one painting to the next. It is always my intention to convey through painting, the animation I find in life and in nature— attempting to capture the texture and fluidity of a piece. I interpret beautiful sites, and also establish a visual commentary for issues like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and environmental injustice.
My work may be described from contemporary landscapes to surreal. When viewed, I hope audiences experience an account of places I have been, as well as understand the stories I am venturing to tell. I believe story telling is an important quality that each piece possesses.
The work shown on this site provides examples of my style in the use of color, layering, and the portrayal of light– which reflect a greater portion of my catalog of paintings. As an artist I have many influences. The greatest inspiration being nature and my surrounding landscape, exposing the beauty of places like regional State Parks and local neighborhoods.
My intention is to convey the animation I find in life and in nature; to capture the texture, fluidity and light of each scene. It is not just about interpreting beautiful sights, but also establishing a visual commentary of issues that we face, like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and environmental injustice. My aim is to preserve scenes of an ever-changing environment and express the interconnectedness which tethers issues and topics that we are continuing to face.