About
Biography
Kaela Pinizzotto (b. 1998) is an artist currently working in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kaela was born and raised in Salem County, New Jersey. She developed an artistic eye at a very young age and spent every moment of her free time drawing. At her local high school Kaela joined an Art Academy and spent four years further developing her artistic skills. Kaela was inducted into the National Art Honors Society in her last two years of high school. She applied for her BFA at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia in 2017and graduated in May of 2021 with her degree as a Drawing major and Printmaking minor. She mostly works in graphite, charcoal, watercolors and various printmaking media. In May 2021 she exhibited in PAFA's 120th Annual Student Exhibition, where she displayed a series of prints and drawings that explored the theme of light as it appears in nature and landscapes.
What am I up to now?
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Artist Statement
I create artwork that is inspired by the natural world through drawings, printmaking and paintings. I strongly believe that drawing is the foundation of any type of art medium and therefore begin each piece with a carefully planned-out drawing. In my prints and paintings it is important to have this foundational drawing show in the final artwork instead of covering it up along the way. Drawing to me is a medium that provides a lot of information and description that can help further inform a work of art.
My process begins with a photograph. Each reference photo used I have taken myself. Working from photographs enables me to achieve very detailed drawings. These photographs are of moments of admiration and wonder that I experience, which I have come to describe as a “visceral” feeling. Light is often the factor that gives me this feeling and I use it as a subject in my work. This light is often natural, but sometimes man-made. I aim to depict an ethereal light in my work. For example, the pictures taken often are of sunsets because their golden, dramatic light and vibrant colors are striking to me. My goal is to capture this feeling in my work in hopes of sharing this experience with the viewer.
Working in a highly rendered way allows for an intimacy with the subject matter and the act of drawing or painting becomes a meditative process for me. I enjoy working at a small scale because it challenges me to fit a lot of detail into a small area. Focussing on the natural world, such as landscapes and animals, expresses my appreciation for its beauty and originality. Creating detailed natural objects and scenery with a glow of light is my way of sharing this feeling with anyone who views my work.
CV / Resume
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
2017 - 2021
Exhibition Record
2021 Annual Student Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Historic Landmark Building
Philadelphia, PA
2020 Annual Student Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Anne Bryan Gallery
Philadelphia, PA
2020 Pafa Emerging Artists
The Plastic Club
Philadelphia, PA
2019 Annual Student Exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Anne Bryan Gallery
Philadelphia, PA
Awards and Honors
2021 The Charles Topan Prize
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
Henry C. Pratt Memorial Prize in Printmaking
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
The John R. Conner Memorial Prize in Printmaking
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
Rose and Nathan Rubinson Prize in Memory of Wharton Esherick
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
2020 The Raymond D. & Estelle Rubens Travel Scholarship
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
The Printmaking Faculty Award
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
The Packard Prize in Animal Drawing
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
2019 Huldah Bender Kerner Scholarship
Philadelphia, PA
Henry C. Pratt Memorial Prize in Printmaking
Philadelphia, PA
Rose and Nathan Rubinson Prize in Memory of Wharton Esherick
Philadelphia, PA
2018 Huldah Bender Kerner Scholarship
Philadelphia, PA
Michael G. Capuzzi Memorial Endowment
Philadelphia, PA
Selected Bibliography
2017 Worthen, Tom Celebrating Art Fall 2017
2016 Worthen, Tom Celebrating Art Fall 2016