
Artist's Statement:
My art is created from a strong desire to explore universal symbolism and to express the beauty of the human experience in all forms. I strive to entertain a rich tapestry of emotions within my work to acknowledge the diversity of life's journey, and to emphasize the strength of our collective experience.
The theme of my artwork is inspired very much by nature, and the infinite variety of color, shape and form that surrounds us in such a subtle way that it often goes unnoticed. My style is greatly influenced by those in the past, who first appreciated this inexhaustible source of design, and honored it passionately in every medium, contributing to a powerful artistic movement that blossomed in the early 1900's: The Art Nouveau movement.
My hope is that the images I create may inspire people to express their own individuality, contributing to a glorious new world movement, to uplift the state of the humanity through culture and beauty... to contribute to the blossoming of a modern Renaissance.
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Ragens powerful images are fantastic depictions of a spirit world where nymphs and fairies dance amongst dragonflies, and winged goddesses arise through ethereal mists. Nature is perfectly enchanted under the spell of the paintbrush as birds and beasts find mystical transformation into the guise of the wise woman. It might be said that Mother Nature herself, beaming with resplendence, sits before the artist to be captured on the canvas.
The art of Ragen is often recognized for its incredible detail and soft, feminine quality, yet it is her distinctive ability to capture a world of fantasy in a strikingly emotional style that intrigues viewers most.
Ragen Mendenhall was born twenty-nine years ago, in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was at an early age that she discovered a special talent for creating. Her teachers and family were appreciative of the scores of drawings featuring rainbows, mermaids and unicorns, that adorned school room walls. Her ability continued to manifest as she approached her teenage years holding a palette brilliantly colored with numerous artistic awards and accolades. In 1996 she was invited to attend The Art Institute of Seattle on a full-tuition scholarship. After graduating, she moved to Sedona, Arizona to entertain the artistic inspirations inherent in the natural beauty of the land.
Traveling throughout the country, Ragen has introduced her visionary artworks to an appreciative audience. In recent years she displayed at Renaissance Faires and Art Festivals. Her dramatically beautiful images have graced the covers of books and CDs and her self-published print collection can now be found in a growing number of stores and galleries across the country.
Ragens inspiration continues to blossom, as she creates her newest masterpieces in her Phoenix studio.
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