Shelley Lowenstein (aka "mosklow") has been painting narrative figure paintings for well over twenty years. Employing a style that emphasizes bold color, Shelley's work brings to life scenes and vignettes that many see daily, but rarely pause to notice. She likes to paint stories—often Washington, DC stories.
"In my narrative work, I look for exquisite light, for rich color and varying patterns; I look for interactions between people that make up everyday encounters, cherished meetings. It is ‘this special stuff ' from which I create my paintings."
About three years ago, because of a personal connection, she decided to tell a different kind of story, one at the intersection of art and science.
“I felt compelled to tell the story of the beta cell—a rock star of a cell—the hardest working cell in the body. Humans all have about a pinky fingertip-full of beta cells. We can’t live without them. These complex and remarkable workhorses are relatively unknown and very underappreciated. I believe that their time has come.”
This growing body of work, mainly mixed media, has struck a chord with art lovers, scientists and researchers, and appeals to people of all ages. The work is a labor of love, steeped in optimism, and intentionally joyful and colorful.
Lowenstein seeks out cutting-edge scientists to ensure that her work is based on fact and up to date, as far as we know. Her goal is to make the work appealing, evocative, and understandable, when and if viewers want to appreciate their cellular anatomy. She describes herself as a "mom on a mission." It is her goal to make beta cells a "household term."
Lowenstein has exhibited both bodies of work in juried, group and solo shows. Her paintings are held in public and private collections, in the USA and abroad, and she has completed several commissions.
Lowenstein continues to go back and forth between narrative figure work and science/art work. She believes that what she learns in one arena will continue to positively impact her work in the other.
www.shelleylowenstein.com
