Carolyn K. Bellis
Contact Information
Education
2008-Present - Studio of Dorothy Rossi
2002-2008 - Studio One, Oakland, CA - Ceramics, Sculpture
1983 & 1976 - City College, San Francisco -Pottery
1980-1982 - Fort Mason Art Center, San Francisco, CA; Ceramics, Life Drawing
1981-1982 - Studio of Kathie Cinnater, San Francisco, CA
1971-1972 - International Studies, Florence, Italy -
Lithography, Painting, Sculpture
1968-1973 - Drake University, Des Moines, IA - B.A. Fine Arts
Artist's Statement
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Journey Into the Soul
My art is my tool to work out my spiritual and emotional challenges and learn my life’s lessons.
I first got in touch with my art as a healing process in my mid-twenties when I had psychotic breakdowns, diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and was institutionalized for 8 years. While in the institutions, images from deep in my psyche flooded my mind ceaselessly. Drawing and painting them everyday cushioned the severity of my disease. As a result of my hallucinations, I have an infinite reservoir of images that I draw from when I paint.
Today I still see visions when I close my eyes before sleep and when I meditate. I don’t directly copy these for future paintings, but I’m sure they do influence the work I do. They are beautiful, awesome, and many times are like movies for they have action in them. In the institutions they were very frightening although when put on paper or canvas came out friendlier, almost childlike.
Years ago my art kept my spirit alive. Today it gives me great peace.
When I do my art I would like to tell you of that world: It’s mysterious, strange, and almost foreign. If my paintings could talk to you they’d say: “Let’s all start the play. Do you know your parts? OH! Just go nuts, dance, play wild symphonies. It’s a mad musical. We are on stage for you and you and you. Learn to play by watching us. We are play. We are the sensual. We are you. We will haunt you, delight you, and mystify you with our performance. We are the magic. You are the magician.”
My art over the years has been my Mother: “I am your Mom and I love you. I have come here to protect you and give you peace. I am your light, I am your life, I am your pathway to sanity.”
Art Process
My art is process: I tap into my unconscious; I bring up memories, conflicts and visions. Emotions and visions become known; I release the emotions and grow spiritually. I find joy; painting is play; I find positivism; I grow emotionally. Old images and new symbols emerge. New emotions, visions and images are revealed. The piece finds completion. Once the subconscious has revealed the complete work, the path is open for the next piece to emerge. This, in turn makes room for another art piece. And the process continues to unveil the next set of images. I feel the painting or sculpture is already complete within my subconscious and, like a puzzle, I put the pieces together as I work until the next work or art is complete.
Selected Exhibitions
Solo Exhibitions
2005-07
Alano Club, San Francisco, CA
1996
Squat N Gobble Café, San Francisco, CA
Mission Grounds Cafe, San Francisco, C
Crepe Escape Cafe, San Francisco, CA
Group Exhibitions
2009
Mirando Al Sur, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
2008-09
Avenue 64 Gallery, Emeryville, CA
2008
22nd Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, Emeryville CA
2005
New Work 2005, Alameda Art Center, Alameda, CA
20th Annual Juried Show, Gallery Route One, Point Reyes, CA
2004
From the Fire, Alameda Art Center, Alameda, CA
Contemporary Abstracts, Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
2003
ABD 18, CA State University, Long Beach, CA
2002-03
ProArts Juried Annual Exhibition, Oakland, CA
2002
6th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, Emeryville, CA
2001
Seascape, Danville Fine Arts Gallery, Danville, CA
ABD 16, California State University, Long Beach, CA
Secrets, Artisans Gallery, Mill Valley, CA
2000
14th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition, Emeryville, CA
The Ruth Bancroft Garden-Art at the Summer Solstice, Walnut Creek, CA
Black & White & One Color Exhibition, Artisans Gallery. Mill Valley, CA
Lucky "Thirteen" Exhibition, Danville, CA
Juried Exhibition, Gallery Route One, Point Reyes, CA
1999
ABD 14, California State University, Long Beach, CA
1998
Five Artists, San Francisco Production Group, San Francisco, CA
1997
Similar Differences, SOMAR Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Click 3, San Francisco, CA
1996
San Francisco Production Group, San Francisco, CA
Inside Outside, ARTwork Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Women at Work, ARTwork Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Cafe Italy, San Francisco, CA
Something Old Something New, ARTwork Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2009
The Palms Cafe, San Francisco, CA
1993
Paintings, Picaro Cafe, San Francisco, CA
1973
Senior Exhibition, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
1969
Young & Talented, Jan's Gallery, Des Moines, IA
Awards & Distinctions
2003 ABD 18 "Juror's Choice Award", CA State University, Long Beach, CA
1979 Scholarship to Academy Of Art College, San Francisco, CA
1968 Senior Exhibition: Award for Sculpture, Drake University, Des Moines, IA
1969 Young & Talented, Jan's Gallery, Des Moines, IA
1968-73 Honors Student Drake University, Des Moines, IA
1963 Artist of the Week, Oelwein Register, IA
Commissions
2004
Fred Winn, San Francisco, CA
2000
Kathy McLaughlin, San Francisco, CA
1997
Tom Jamison, San Francisco, CA
Remy Jamison, San Francisco, CA
1995
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Hardiman, Placerville, CA
Ms. Nancy Faville, San Francisco, CA
Mr. Tom Schroyer, Palo Alto, CA
Mrs. Jessica Carina-Lee, San Francisco, CA
1989
Planned Rain Forest Environment, Pre-School, San Francisco, CA
Tiger Mask, Pre-School, San Francisco, CA
Selected Private Collections
- Alameda County Art Commission, Oakland, CA
- Lucy O'Connor, San Francisco, CA
- Tiffany Felicienne, Oakland, CA
- Karen Johnston, San Francisco, CA
- Denise Shields, San Francisco, CA
- Paul Crosbie, San Francisco, CA
- Roslyn Icove, San Franciso, CA
- Eileen Murphy, Oakland, CA
- Mary Jane Perkins, Sebastopol, CA
- Esther Roberts, San Francisco, CA
- Larry Lucero, San Francisco, CA
- Francois Mobasser, Los Angeles, CA
- Ulrike Ruppelt, San Francisco, CA
- Fred R. Winn, San Francisco, CA
- David Koury, Oakland, CA
- Dolora Cunningham, San Francisco, CA
- Lois J. Gose, Oakland, CA
- Susan Brooks, Berkeley, CA
- Ida da Roza, San Francisco, CA
- Lois Pokorny, Oklahoma City, OK
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