Nora Venturelli

I was born in Rosario, Argentina and in 1968 I immigrated with my family to California, where I graduated from high school and started my studies in art. I have lived alternatively in both countries since then. In 1995 I graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in Fine Art, and I received my Masters in Fine Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University in April 1997. I have been active showing my work, and teaching drawing and painting as adjunct professor at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University since 1997.

About my work: Drawing and painting the figure is where my passion lies. I prefer to work from direct observation. When I work on a portrait, it is the essence of the person that I try to capture, it is all about them; sometimes the titles imply a story, but most are coincidental. I'm enthralled by the process of mixing colors and the application of paint.

The marks on a drawing show the path of analysis and structure, as my drawing develops, the viewer can follow my tracks on the surfaces created by charcoal, water, chalk and ⁄ or paint. My compositions are carefully thought out. I place emphasis on the interplay between figure and ground, between line and mass.

I am continuously pushing myself to the point of being uncomfortable with my results, frustrating as it is and confusing as it may sound to someone not involved in a creative process. The magic lies in the ambiguity and in the lack of preconceived outcomes which is what moves me the most, and on to the next piece.