“Eliot” 2024

Medium: Felt tip markers

Hi, my name is Bella Teitelbaum, and I am a freshman at Syracuse University from Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California. I use art as a creative outlet and form of cathartic and meaningful expression. My work celebrates vibrant simplicity through a multitude of different mediums.

As I look back on my childhood and artistic journey, I am heavily inspired by the fleeting moments that bring me joy. I have been creating and loving art since I was seven years old but after the passing of my incredibly talented art teacher Dee Travis, I found myself stuck in a period where art was something I overlooked. Through a process of self rediscovery, I have found that making and creating art is a powerful tool that I turn to when embracing change and seeking clarity. I often find beauty in simplicity and embrace that as a metaphor for how to move through life - with as much curiosity, grace, and humility as possible. I love using watercolor, charcoal pastels and acrylic paint to make storybook-like, picturesque scenes that encapsulate various memories and dreams. Recently, I have started to branch out of familiarity by exploring (especially challenging) new mediums such as oil paint, and as I continue to change styles and interests, I hope my work is a reflection of my growth.

The Palisades fire deeply impacted my community and family, bringing uncertainty and a sense of loss to a place that once felt so safe. Experiencing that devastation pushed me to channel my emotions into art, which I use as a healing outlet. This process inspired me to shift my career path towards design, where I could use creativity as a way to tell stories and create beauty in the aftermath.

Throughout my life, I have always wanted to be an architect to create functional yet beautiful spaces. I am applying to the Design Studies program because it offers the perfect intersection of creativity and function. I want to explore how design can not only solve problems but also communicate emotions, build connections, and transform trauma into something meaningful. This program’s interdisciplinary approach; blending visual culture and history resonates with my background as an architecture history major by turning art into a practical product or piece. I’m driven to explore how my artistic abilities can be used to support and uplift others in meaningful ways. Art has always been my personal healing outlet, and now I want to use it to help others build something purposeful from their own experiences.