About me…
Welcome to the online art gallery and boutique of Chelsea Brie Maslow Owens; Bay Area based Artist!
I am a Californian/American contemporary artist creating captivating, colorful paintings through the decades. Born in Washington, D.C. my artistic journey began at the Corcoran School of Art before pursuing Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. A transformative residency abroad in France guided me to San Francisco in the late 90s, and I graduated from the Academy of Art University as a pioneering art director in all multimedia industries; working on film/tv/theatre/event/commercial productions from the Bay Area to Los Angeles.
Seeking new horizons in my 20s, I moved to Italy. Allured by a culture rich with history and passion for the Arts, I dedicated my discipline to oil painting; creating works that explore the duality of life and the passage of time. After more than a decade of living and creating in Italy, I returned to California to raise a family in Santa Barbara. We built a modern architectural artist studio in Montecito’s Golden Quadrangle; nestled in the skirts of Los Padres National Forest and cherished Chumash land and overlooking the Pacific and Channel Islands. While witnessing the transience of time and existence between my growing children and ever-changing landscape throughout its beauty and natural disasters, my paintings reflected the exploration of the dynamic interplay between our internal landscapes and external environments that surround us in a constantly evolving universe. During these years, my family and I experienced the catastrophic Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudslides; forcing us from the comfort of home and lifestyle and adapting to life in flux. I had the wonderful opportunity to teach art to a local preschool called Bright Start; in which I taught all mediums of art to children ages 18 months to 5 years old. Encouraging radical expression with a guided foundation in fine art, my students developed collaborative and individual creative skills to carry into their future craft.
Once again the wind and currents shifted, and I knew it was time to come back to the only place I had ever truly called home. I returned to the Bay Area with my children 20+ years later; re-emerging in a post-pandemic era of creativity. With decades of experience in the arts, I've honed my craft as an oil painter, art director, and educator. I consider myself an action painter, abstract expressionist, and color alchemist. My compositions evoke a sense of movement and emotion; pushing boundaries in contemporary art and visual storytelling and inviting viewers to explore the complexities of life through painting as a form of radical and authentic expression. Through visual storytelling, my artwork weaves an enriching visual tapestry of true narratives, emotions, and boundless imagination; encouraging deep reflection and discovery. Delving deep into the complexities of the human condition and our surrounding environments, my art merges elements of reality with psychological undertones. Through the metamorphic power of color alchemy, texture, technique, and intricate layering, my art tells its own unique story, revealing vulnerability and growth within my creative journey.
I seek harmony through the interplay of color and form; reflecting the current state of my heart, mind, body, and soul. Each brushstroke urges viewers to confront their own challenges and take risks, encouraging a transformative dialogue between the artwork and the observer. My paintings act as mirrors; inviting reflection and introspection while highlighting the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
My oil paintings depict the explorative depths of the inner and external landscapes we inhabit; fusing hints of reality with psychological innuendos, allowing for infinite interpretation that can be both intellectually and physically felt by viewers. Through the process of color alchemy, I manipulate hues to evoke feelings that resonate within the viewer, layering textures and techniques to create a rich narrative that unfolds over time. Each piece is a testament to the ongoing dance between vulnerability and resilience, a visual conquest that mirrors my own journey toward self-discovery and acceptance.
Ultimately, my art evaluates the delicate balance of the heart, mind, body, and soul, challenging both myself and my audience to take the necessary risks that life demands. In this shared exploration, I aim to foster a sense of community and understanding, bridging the gap between our individual experiences and the universal truths that bind us all. My art has been exhibited in prestigious galleries and art fairs across the USA and Europe, including the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris and Scope Art Fairs in Italy, MonteCarlo, and Switzerland. My work can be found in both Sotheby's and private collections around the world; admired for its evocative storytelling and vibrant use of color.
Please send all inquiries to: chelseabrie@gmail.com
Thank you for embarking on my history of creations!
Chelsea