Deborah Bell's "Love Paintings"

Thursday, October 22, 1998
Deborah Bell's "Love Paintings" wander into pastel palette
the Seattle Times

Fans of artist Deborah Bell, who is represented by Davidson Galleries, have been flocking to her "New Paintings & Drawings" at nearby Zeitgeist. The 15 pieces in this smart, refreshing collection are what Bell refers to as her "love paintings," reaffirmations of a long, close relationship.

The works demonstrate her delight in following fanciful concepts. They also utilize her typical range of media: combining acrylic, charcoal, collage and graphite. What they mark most dramatically is a shift in color values. This time, Bell takes up the pastel hues of Jordan almonds, with results as tasty as a bag of the candies.

It's an enchanting display, both free-of-hand and airy. Lacking the sentimentality its palette might encourage, the show exudes abundant, distinctive personality. Bell explains, "A record of the hand is intrinsic to my work. There are often allusions to space, movement, the interior realm of experience. I try to communicate from an intuitive space."

So do the musical artists of Resonant / Circuit, who will perform on the closing night of Bell's show. Curated by musician Tari Nelson-Zagar, this collective specializes in unusual improvised sound. They coax exotic musics from a range of instruments: anything from children's toys to the stand-up bass.

New Paintings & Drawings" by Deborah Bell, through Nov. 4 at Zeitgeist, 161 S. Jackson St., Seattle; 206-583-0497. Resonant / Circuit performs on Nov 4. Hours are 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Sundays, until 9 p.m. on Nov 4.

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