Mari Keeler Cornwell earned her B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from the Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA. Her figurative paintings have been exhibited in solo and group shows across New York’s Hudson Valley and are held in private collections worldwide, including Madrid and Australia. Her work has also appeared in several art books and magazines. Keeler’s practice examines women’s identity through figurative painting, often merging the figure with surrounding elements such as hair, fabric, or environment. This interplay reflects how individuality is shaped by culture, memory, and lived experience. While portraiture has been central to her work, she is now creating “portraits of moments” that interpret memories, atmospheres, and personal history from her Venezuelan childhood. Drawing on personal and cultural narratives, she weaves symbolism, pattern, and color to evoke heritage, resilience, and emotion. Balancing classical figuration with bold, stylized surfaces, her paintings invite reflection on empowerment, authenticity, and the shared dignity of women’s inner and outer worlds. *** Keeler's artwork is currently showing at Miriam restaurant, 140 Seventh Ave South ***