marni muir gallery
112 S. Washington St. Seattle, WA 98104
Raya and Heidel Bethel April 08
DOGS UNLEASHED
Raya and Heidel Bethel
Private reception Wednesday, April 2, 6-8 PM
First Thursday reception April 3, 6-8 PM
Meet the Artists: Saturday, April 19, 3:30-5
Identical twins Raya and Heidel Bethel are fine art artists who collaborate together on all of their works of art. As twins, they have an incredible 'connection' that helps them to communicate while painting with each other. Together as one mind they work in tandem on paintings, matching their styles to cause the finished painting to look like it was painted by one artist.
Their first passion at a young age was the violin. As they played the classical violin together for 7 years, they began their initial bonding with music and the arts. Shortly after that they ventured on a long journey of a passion for creating art. Now with 18 years experience in fine art, and having studied with accomplished artists, they have developed diverse levels of skill. Through many years of study in life drawing, portraiture, and painting, they have refined an unusual versatility to many styles of painting ranging from representational, classical renaissance, tromp l'oeil and impressionistic, to the witty and whimsical. Nine years ago they started Paradise Studios, a company that incorporates their passions.
"Dogs Unleashed" is a witty series that plays on our culture. Humorous yet sophisticated, these paintings capture the viewers' attention by placing dogs in human situations. The paintings incorporate the activities of popular culture with the many emotions we all experience. While creating the series, the Bethel artists giggled with each new painting. Although the characters are dogs they may remind us of someone we know or even our selves. The paintings' bold, graphic imagery and rich colors depict narratives of both life itself and the imagination.
Along with their 'Dogs Unleashed' series, they will be working on a surprise piece on site which will be auctioned off in a silent auction throughout the exhibit.
See our spread in this month's CityDog Magazine!