The Bonsai Man, 16 in x 20 in, 2020
Connie and Me (Blackberries, Lavender, and Crabapples), 24 in x 30 in, 2020
Artist Statement
For most people, including myself, two of the most comforting activities are eating and sleeping. In recent months, my mental health and my physical health have declined. I find myself overeating or under-eating and having trouble sleeping. Any time I do happen to get sleep, I have terrible nightmares that make me wish I’d stayed awake. Within each of these paintings are subjects close to my heart that have been tainted by my recent struggles. The foods are all comfort foods that my late Grandmother would give me when I was little. The nightmares relate to unfortunate memories and fears of the future. Through my work, I want to consider the idea of when something that used to be comforting becomes painful to endure or remember.
Artist Biography
Belle Rausch was born in El Dorado, Kansas, where she attended Butler Community College and received her Associates Degree in Art. She is now a student at the University of Kansas, and will graduate in 2021 with a BFA in both Visual Arts and Art History.
During her professional career as an artist, she’s worked as a studio hand, gallery attendant, painting party host, and volunteered for Children’s Art Programs. She spent a year working as an intern at The Coutts Memorial Museum of Art in El Dorado, KS.
Belle works with a variety of mediums including fiber arts, painting, and sculpting. Her work is deeply rooted in the immediate world around her, and she focuses on both self-analysis and emotional awareness in her work. Belle’s goal is to identify her feelings and to share her discoveries with those who need help identifying theirs.
Belle is currently showing work at the University of Kansas Libraries, the Lied Center, and at Garden City Community College.
Isabella Rausch
5000 Clinton Pkwy, Lawrence, KS, 66047
(316) 323 - 8801
bellerausch@gmail.com
Education
2021 BFA, Art History, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (May 2021)
2021 BFA, Visual Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (May 2021)
2018 Associates Degree in Art with Honors, Butler County Community College, El Dorado, KS
2018 Two Years of Japanese Study
Professional Experience
2020 Gallery Team Member, Phoenix Gallery, Lawrence, KS
2016-18 Gallery Supervisor, EB White Art Gallery, El Dorado, KS
2017-18 Studio Hand, Butler Community College, El Dorado, KS
2017-18 Collections, Events, Database, and Curatorial Intern, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2017-18 Painting Party Host, Butler Community College, El Dorado, KS
2016-17 Stylist, Photographer, Social Media Manager, Robin’s, El Dorado, KS
Exhibitions
2021 Stages, Mercer Gallery, Garden City, KS
2021 Dis·comfort (Solo Show), Kansas Union Gallery, Lawrence, KS
2020, Tiny Art Show, The Dusty Bookshelf, Lawrence, KS
2020 LibArts 2020-2021, Anschutz Library, Lawrence, KS
2019 LibArts 2019-2020, Anschutz Library, Lawrence, KS
2019 Untitled, Lied Center, Lawrence, KS
2019 Student Show, Chalmers Art and Design Gallery, Lawrence, KS
2018 Staff Exhibition, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2018 Student Show, EB White Gallery, El Dorado, KS
2018 Scholarship Show, EB White Gallery, El Dorado, KS
Exhibitions Curated
2017-20 Permanent Show, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2018 Meet the Makks, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2018 Colors of Summer, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2018 Staff Exhibition, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2018 The Santa Fe Trail, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2018 Valentine’s Day, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2018 Winter Show, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
2017 Christmas at the Coutts, Coutts Memorial Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS
Awards
2019 LibArts Blue Ribbon, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
2019 Amsden Award, Kress Foundation Department of Art History, Lawrence, KS
2018 First Place in Drawing, EB White Student Show Exhibition, El Dorado, KS
2017 Student Choice Award, EB White Student Show Exhibition, El Dorado, KS
Exhibitions Juried
2018 County Fair Art Exhibition, Butler County, El Dorado, KS
2018 Grade School Art Competition, El Dorado School District, El Dorado, KS
2017 Grade School Art Competition, El Dorado School District, El Dorado, KS
Organizations
2019-21 National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Kansas University, Lawrence, KS
2016-18 Phi Theta Kappa, Butler Community College, El Dorado, KS
Travel/Foreign Languages Spoken
2018 Seoul, South Korea
2017 Merida, Mexico
2016 Kyoto/Tokyo, Japan
2015 Rome/Naples/Pisa/Venice, Italy
2015 Vatican City
2015 Istanbul, Turkey
2012 Paris, France
2010 Beijing/ Shanghai/ Xi’an, China
2 Years of Japanese Study at the University of Kansas
