ARTIST STATEMENT
The greatest painting is often underneath...
APelej
ABOUT
My story is simple. A passion to create has become my salvation.
During my three-decade career in corporate finance, where I traveled extensively and managed a team of hardworking consultants, I developed a love of photography and digital art. I took photos of my travels and transformed them into unique artistic expressions using digital software. This creative outlet provided a welcome respite from a stressful job and was gaining recognition in the art world when a sudden vision loss compelled me to retire at the height of my corporate success and stole my ability to see beyond distortion and darkness.
Unemployed and uncertain about the future, I faced the daunting task of adapting to life with severe visual impairments while finding a new creative outlet. Painting emerged as my lifeline. It challenged me to personalize traditional techniques to incorporate both visual and tactile sensations. It instilled in me the courage to endure criticism and the loss of independence. It gave me an unlimited playground for my creative voice, and I found I was smiling again.
My artistic style is rooted in a profound desire for originality and uniqueness. I draw inspiration from a diverse range of artistic expressions, including the magnified perspectives of Georgia O’Keeffe, the vibrant street art of Eric Edisen, the spiritual abstracts of Jeanne Bessette, and the exquisite watercolors of Ian Ramsey.
My techniques are self-taught and akin to that of an archeologist excavating precious artifacts. I employ specialized tools crafted from worn brushes and various types of paper to construct and subsequently remove layers. I dilute, smear, and scrub paint, rip, crumple, and glue paper, experimenting with color, shape, and texture until each image emerges naturally. Occasionally, I transition from my studio to the computer, where I digitally combine multiple paintings into a single unique vision.
I paint as a way to move forward. I paint to communicate my artistic passion. I paint to capture the world I see, so you can see it too.
Enjoy
Art CV
Bibliography
Temecula Theater Magazine, 2023-2024 Season
Food Story, The Book of Arts, Published 2023
Canvia Smart Display License, 2019
Pickit - AI Training Photo Purchase, 2019
Patrick Brien, Breaking the Rules is Her M.O., The Press Enterprise, March 13, 2015, Page 8
Riverside County ARTSCAPE Brochure, Cover, 2015
2014 Southern California/Baja Norte Juried Exhibition Catalog: Ginger Porcella & Jo Nalven (compliers), 2014
Exhibitions
2025 Juried into the Santa Fe Gallery Association 2025 Artist Catalog, Santa Fe NM
2025 Grace Mellman Library Rotunda August Solo Exhibit, Temecula CA
2025 Temecula Valley Museum - March/April Solo Exhibit - Corrugated: Painting with Cardboard, Temecula CA
2024 Hibachi Buffet Restaurant, Temecula CA - Public Installation, March 2024 - February 2025
2024 Merc Gallery, Mighty Minis, Temecula CA
2023 Temecula Valley Art League Group Show, Temecula CA
2023 Gallerium Art Exhibits, Food Story, Toronto Canada
2023 Merc Gallery, Mighty Minis, Temecula CA
2023 Merc Gallery, Outside the Lines - February Solo Exhibit, Temecula CA
2022 Las Laguna Gallery, Women in Art, Laguna Beach CA
2021 Riverside Art Museum , Route 66, Riverside CA
2021 Riverside Art Museum Art Alliance Gallery, Riverside CA
2019 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE, San Diego CA
2019 Art Off the Walls, Temecula, CA
2018 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE, San Diego, CA
2017 Heaven Art Gallery –Sensations, Scottsdale AZ (Showcased Artist)
2017 Heaven Art Gallery – Memories & Dreams, Scottsdale, AZ
2017 Heaven Art Gallery – Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Scottsdale, AZ (Honorable Mention)
2017 Heaven Art Gallery – I’m In Heaven, Scottsdale, AZ
2016 San Diego Art Institute – The Dead Are Not Quiet, San Diego, CA
2016 Brandon Gallery – Portrait Show, Fallbrook California
2016 City of Temecula Art at the Merc, Temecula CA
2015 San Diego Art Institute 53rd International Show, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA (David Ross)
2015 ARTSCAPE Riverside Arts Council, Riverside, CA
2015 Riverside Festival of the Arts, Riverside, CA
2015 San Diego Art Institute Summer Pop-Up, San Diego, CA
2014 San Diego Art Institute 52rd International Show, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA, (Peter Frank)
2014 Art Off the Walls, Temecula, CA
2014 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE, San Diego, CA
2014 Art From the Heart, Lake Elsinore, CA
2013 Regional Exhibit, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA
2013 Regional Exhibit, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA
2013 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE , San Diego, CA
2013 Summer Arts at Dos Lagos, Corona, CA
2013 Art From the Heart, Lake Elsinore, CA
2012 Regional Exhibit, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA
2012 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE , San Diego, CA
2012 Summer Arts at Dos Lagos, Corona, CA
2012 Art From the Heart, Lake Elsinore, CA
The greatest painting is often underneath...
APelej
ABOUT
My story is simple. A passion to create has become my salvation.
During my three-decade career in corporate finance, where I traveled extensively and managed a team of hardworking consultants, I developed a love of photography and digital art. I took photos of my travels and transformed them into unique artistic expressions using digital software. This creative outlet provided a welcome respite from a stressful job and was gaining recognition in the art world when a sudden vision loss compelled me to retire at the height of my corporate success and stole my ability to see beyond distortion and darkness.
Unemployed and uncertain about the future, I faced the daunting task of adapting to life with severe visual impairments while finding a new creative outlet. Painting emerged as my lifeline. It challenged me to personalize traditional techniques to incorporate both visual and tactile sensations. It instilled in me the courage to endure criticism and the loss of independence. It gave me an unlimited playground for my creative voice, and I found I was smiling again.
My artistic style is rooted in a profound desire for originality and uniqueness. I draw inspiration from a diverse range of artistic expressions, including the magnified perspectives of Georgia O’Keeffe, the vibrant street art of Eric Edisen, the spiritual abstracts of Jeanne Bessette, and the exquisite watercolors of Ian Ramsey.
My techniques are self-taught and akin to that of an archeologist excavating precious artifacts. I employ specialized tools crafted from worn brushes and various types of paper to construct and subsequently remove layers. I dilute, smear, and scrub paint, rip, crumple, and glue paper, experimenting with color, shape, and texture until each image emerges naturally. Occasionally, I transition from my studio to the computer, where I digitally combine multiple paintings into a single unique vision.
I paint as a way to move forward. I paint to communicate my artistic passion. I paint to capture the world I see, so you can see it too.
Enjoy
Art CV
Bibliography
Temecula Theater Magazine, 2023-2024 Season
Food Story, The Book of Arts, Published 2023
Canvia Smart Display License, 2019
Pickit - AI Training Photo Purchase, 2019
Patrick Brien, Breaking the Rules is Her M.O., The Press Enterprise, March 13, 2015, Page 8
Riverside County ARTSCAPE Brochure, Cover, 2015
2014 Southern California/Baja Norte Juried Exhibition Catalog: Ginger Porcella & Jo Nalven (compliers), 2014
Exhibitions
2025 Juried into the Santa Fe Gallery Association 2025 Artist Catalog, Santa Fe NM
2025 Grace Mellman Library Rotunda August Solo Exhibit, Temecula CA
2025 Temecula Valley Museum - March/April Solo Exhibit - Corrugated: Painting with Cardboard, Temecula CA
2024 Hibachi Buffet Restaurant, Temecula CA - Public Installation, March 2024 - February 2025
2024 Merc Gallery, Mighty Minis, Temecula CA
2023 Temecula Valley Art League Group Show, Temecula CA
2023 Gallerium Art Exhibits, Food Story, Toronto Canada
2023 Merc Gallery, Mighty Minis, Temecula CA
2023 Merc Gallery, Outside the Lines - February Solo Exhibit, Temecula CA
2022 Las Laguna Gallery, Women in Art, Laguna Beach CA
2021 Riverside Art Museum , Route 66, Riverside CA
2021 Riverside Art Museum Art Alliance Gallery, Riverside CA
2019 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE, San Diego CA
2019 Art Off the Walls, Temecula, CA
2018 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE, San Diego, CA
2017 Heaven Art Gallery –Sensations, Scottsdale AZ (Showcased Artist)
2017 Heaven Art Gallery – Memories & Dreams, Scottsdale, AZ
2017 Heaven Art Gallery – Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Scottsdale, AZ (Honorable Mention)
2017 Heaven Art Gallery – I’m In Heaven, Scottsdale, AZ
2016 San Diego Art Institute – The Dead Are Not Quiet, San Diego, CA
2016 Brandon Gallery – Portrait Show, Fallbrook California
2016 City of Temecula Art at the Merc, Temecula CA
2015 San Diego Art Institute 53rd International Show, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA (David Ross)
2015 ARTSCAPE Riverside Arts Council, Riverside, CA
2015 Riverside Festival of the Arts, Riverside, CA
2015 San Diego Art Institute Summer Pop-Up, San Diego, CA
2014 San Diego Art Institute 52rd International Show, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA, (Peter Frank)
2014 Art Off the Walls, Temecula, CA
2014 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE, San Diego, CA
2014 Art From the Heart, Lake Elsinore, CA
2013 Regional Exhibit, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA
2013 Regional Exhibit, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA
2013 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE , San Diego, CA
2013 Summer Arts at Dos Lagos, Corona, CA
2013 Art From the Heart, Lake Elsinore, CA
2012 Regional Exhibit, San Diego Museum of the Living Artist, Balboa Park CA
2012 San Diego Art Institute C-NOTE , San Diego, CA
2012 Summer Arts at Dos Lagos, Corona, CA
2012 Art From the Heart, Lake Elsinore, CA