Joseph Bellacera was born in Oakland, California. Although he
lived in such diverse places as Montana, Oklahoma, New York, and
Boston, he mainly grew up in a small-town atmosphere in Northern
California. He studied art at the Massachusetts College of Art and
received an MA degree at Humboldt State University and an MFA degree
at the University of California Santa Barbara.
Views of the Pacific Ocean, deserts of the southwest, aerial
views of agricultural fields, ancient walls and mosaics from Europe
and Asia, and intimate patterns of nature found in his garden all
combine to inspire Bellacera. In his luminous abstract and landscape
paintings radiant forms emerge and dissolve to evoke feelings of
transcendence. In addition to acrylics and oils, he uses materials
such as clay, wood putty, cement, and resins, often treated with
fire and water. Bellacera comments, "I use the alchemy of color and
light to create the experience of seeing something, as if for the
first time, before we define, name and categorize it. In this way,
through painting, the mystery and awe of discovery and creation is
continuously renewed." The most profound artistic influences on
Bellacera's work have been that of JMW Turner's emotional and
atmospheric seascapes from the early 19th century; Kandinsky's early
20th century spiritual abstract improvisations; and the more recent
work of James Turrell, a Southwest installation artist who works
with light.
Joseph Bellacera has exhibited regularly since 1989. His artwork is in
many private and corporate collections throughout the United States.
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