I was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. At age 21 I moved to Israel, where I lived for 8 years. It was in Israel that my artistic abilities emerged. My first paintings, done instinctively and without technical training, received highly favorable critiques from established artists. Since then, I have refined my technique with many years of academic training both in Brazil and in the U.S.

I have always been interested in psychology, mysticism and metaphysics. I have been influenced by Carl Jung, Erich Fromm and Joseph Campbell and inspired by Georgia O'Keefe, Rousseau, and Kandinsky. They have all had an important and indelible bearing on my work.

Currently, I am working on a series which depicts the main events of every five-year cycle in my life. These are 56" x 70" tapestry-like canvases. Colors and images signify events and emotions. These paintings are cathartic, a search for time past and a hommage to the stream of my life.

Contact me directly about purchasing originals or prints from this page: BelaFidel@hotmail.com
Artist's Statement
I believe that Nature and the Cosmos exist within Man in the form of subconscious symbols. Erotic symbols, which can be found in many of my works, are part of nature in their aspect of fertility and creativity, and as such, are an inherent part of Man's own needs and drives. Geometric shapes, such as the Circle and the Triangle, are themselves archetypal shapes and represent Man's striving for unity and harmony with the Cosmos. The unifying link in my paintings is my belief in the Oneness between the Universe and Man. This interaction is fruitful, fertile, reciprocally nourishing. I express this message of optimism in strong, bold, sensual and lush colors, clearly influenced by my South American background.

On Abstracts

My intention is to develop abstract work that is elegant and beautiful.

Since elegance implies simplicity, I am seeking to find expression with a minimalist abstraction while also occasionally using geometric and non-geometric shapes.

‘Beautiful’ will come from color composition and combination, depth and richness of color as well as overall design. ‘Simplicity’ will come from depth of colors and layers and a minimally “cluttered” surface.

I am in constant search for my truest expression.  Each painting takes me to roads traveled and worlds unknown and provides challenges for growth and humility.

I am also interested in mixed media and have been adding collage to some of my abstract work.  The reason for that is that I like the effect of the inner coupled with the outer.  I feel it is a good combination to take the viewer into, for example, depth and richness of color, totally abstract, to a recognizable element such as what the collage imparts.  It adds interest and dimension, and thus enriches the work.  And by enriching my work, it enriches the viewer’s experience.

Honors
Honorary Mention
Holocaust Survivors' Association, 1994

Second Place - Arte Latino En La Ciudad IV
City of Phoenix, 1999

Exhibits
Integrated Medical Plaza of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona, 2002
Museum of Contemporary Art, Fort Collins, Colorado/Rocky Mountain Biennial, 2002
Yavapai College Art Gallery, Two-Woman Show, Prescott, Arizona, 2001
Helen Voehl Gallery, Wickenburg, Arizona, 2000/2001
Eleven East Ashland, Best of the West, Phoenix 2000
Abernassi Gallery, Carefree, Arizona, 2000
Century Bank, Scottsdale, 1999-2000
Watersong Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1999
The Phoenix Center for Community Arts, Arte Latino IV, V, Phoenix, 1999, 2001
International Women's Day, Phoenix, 1999
Celebration of Fine Art, San Francisco, 1998
Sunday A'ffair, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1997
Scottsdale Art Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1994
Artisimo, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1994
Long Beach Jewish Community Center, Long Beach, California, 1990
Celebration of Beverly Hills 75th Anniversary, Beverly Hills, California, 1989
Los Angeles Art Association, Los Angeles, 1988-1992
Affaire in the Garden, Beverly Hills, California, 1986-1989
Tip O' The Market Gallery, Los Angeles, California, 1986-1991
Center for Chicano Art, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 1985
Arte Nova Gallery, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1982, 1983
IV Cultural Immigrants Show, Sao Paulo Bienal, Brazil, 1982
IV Annual Show of Artists of Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1982
Grossman Gallery, Annual Show,  Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1981

Education
Miguel Lopez Pallas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Habuba Farrah Ricetti, Founder of Poetic Abstract Painting in Brazil
Otis Parsons Institute, Los Angeles, California
Barnsdall Art Institiute, Los Angeles, California
Santa Monica College, Los Angeles, California
Sally Marr, Los Angeles, California
Kalum Bruninck, Los Angeles, California
Brentwood Art Center, Los Angeles, California
Martin-Strong Art Studio, Los Angeles, California
Joshua Fallik, Scottsdale, Arizona
Lu Bellamak, Scottsdale, Arizona
The Painting Experience, San Francisco, California
Scottsdale Artist's School

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