Vivien Segel

About the Artist

I am originally from Brazil and I have been living in Key West, a place I now call home, since 1989.

Mostly self-taught, I developed my own painting techniques using, besides brushes, all kinds of materials to create the effects I desire, my pieces being made up of several layers of paint which keep building up and forming texture.

In 2006, aside from paintings, I began to experiment with mixed media such as collages, small assembled sculptures and box constructions, using mostly old or found materials (paper, fabric, pieces of furniture, etc.). This fits in with my longstanding fascination with woodworking.

The inspiration for my paintings and some mixed media work comes from different sources: crumbling walls, rusted metal pieces, the blurry background of an image, nature decay and many others. Lines, shapes and colors are added intuitively. The results may be abstract compositions or reminiscences of abstract landscapes.

All my pieces are generally reworked several times, involving all the composition aspects. The reconfiguration and refining process many times ends up showing just some residues of the painting’s first layers or the mixed media pieces’ original setup. This constant evolution is evidence of my desire to always test, stretch and expand my abilities. To me, personal and professional life challenges have always been tools for self-improvement and my search is constant and endless.

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Business ( Brazil), 1976
Art classes at the Florida Keys Community College

Awards

2005 – 1st prize FKCC Annual Student Art Exhibition/Best in Show
2004 – 3rd prize FKCC Annual Student Art Exhibition

Exhibitions

In Key West, Florida:
- Gallery 007 (solo show)
- Lucky Street Gallery
- SoDu Gallery
- Salt Gallery
- Florida Keys Community College
- Monroe County Administration Offices
- Lemonade Stand Gallery
- Key West Art & Historical Society
- Anne McKee Artists Fund Auction

In Silver City, New Mexico:
- Reese-Benton Gallery

Memberships

- Florida Keys Council of the Arts
- Key West Art & Historical Society