Rachell Hester
I focus on the subject of dinosaur bones and other prehistoric skeletons, some of which inhabited the California coastline millions of years ago. The diversity of shape and form when combined with light and shadow allows me to create a dramatic image while simultaneously sharpening my skill with the paint. I allow an abstraction in the background due to the inherent uncontrollable nature of using rain. The science of natural history and anatomy has been an interest of mine. Rendering the anatomy of these prehistoric creatures engages my scientific curiosity and also the childlike wonder that occurs over dinosaurs-the long extinct but wondrous beasts from another time. My new work is exploring the mysterious past on earth that is evidenced by the remaining fossils of life forms that can never be again. By using the element of rain – the resource that is so vital to the survival of our species – the imprints on the canvas enable me to dig around in the resulting abstractions and find the remainders of life, which I depict with acrylic and ink.
