THE ARTIST

TINA BLONDELL

Born in Salzburg in 1953, Tina Blondell grew up in Austria, France and Italy. Her Austrian mother and American father blessed her with cultural diversity and a childhood steeped in the arts. Ms. Blondell, who is fluent in German, Italian and English, was immersed in the great museums of Europe from the age of five. Some of her fondest early memories are of drawing and painting the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany, Italy with her father.

In 1971, after completing her education in Italy, she came to the United States settling first in Washington, D.C. and then New Mexico to raiser her family. She moved to Minneapolis, Mn in 1996.

Ms. Blondell’s paintings are intellectually captivating as well as visually arresting. Her focused, intense and provocative style challenges the viewer to study the message of each canvas. Often developing works in series, the artist carefully researched the subjects for accurate symbols to express her point. Her works explore the themes of creation, spiritualty and power through the sensitives of a women.

Originally drawn to the American Southwest for vacations, Ms. Blondell became so intrigued with the anient Anasazi culture that she began work on the extensive Southwestern Series. Early monochromatic paintings suggest the quiet peacefulness of ancient ruins while the later works feature vibrant hues of the vivid southwestern sky. Many of the paintings depict the spiritual richness of the Anasazi culture. The 52-piece Southwestern Series first opened in Washington, D.C., then showed in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, and returned to the U.S. for other exhibitions. Nearly all of the paintings have been sold to collectors in the U.S. and abroad.

The power and influence of women, beginning with Eve, is the subject of Blondell’s Temptations Series. This 14-piece work features the hands of 12 influential women, each holding an apple representative of her unique gifts to the world. The temptation Blondell symbolizes is that each of the woman’s knowledge and how she chose to use it. In 1994 reproductions of The Temptations Series, along with 14 accompanying poetic essays about the women, were published in a limited edition portfolio-style book.

In The Cradle of Civilization Series, Ms. Blondell draws upon her European roots and the previous decorated egg collection of a favorite aunt. The striking colors and patterns of the eggs represent authentic, centuries old ‘prayer’ of special significance to the giver and recipient. The 13-piece series combines large images of the eggs and symbols of spiritual life and fertility with respect and reverence for womankind.

The crisp, clean style of the artist, combined with her intellectual depth, make Blondell’s paintings appealing on a very personal level. Her varied works clearly reveal many of her interests, her values and even her sense of humor. Perhaps these qualities are what endeared her work to thousands attending The Temptation Series exhibit during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.