Mari Keeler Cornwell

Artist Statement

As a Venezuelan-born artist who grew up in the United States, my work explores the intersections of identity, resilience, and empowerment. Moving across cultures at a young age gave me a deep understanding of transformation, and that experience continues to be the emotional pulse of my art. I was raised by a lineage of strong, independent women. My grandmother was a pioneer in aviation, and her legacy of pushing boundaries showed me early on what it means to create new paths. Her example continues to influence the work I create today, as I seek ways to honor women’s strength, complexity, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. My experience as a student at Stuart further solidified my focus on women’s empowerment and strength.

Balancing life as an artist, educator, and mother, I find daily inspiration in the layered experiences of nurturing both my creative practice and my family. Each piece is an exploration of perseverance and growth, informed by the rhythms of modern living. Over the past few years, my work has been featured in New Visionary magazine and in art books such as Art to Heart's Emerging Women Artists of 2024 and Artist, Mother, Proud and Serious. Whether exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair in NYC or at the Woodstock Artist Association and Museum closer to home, my practice centers on holding space for personal and collective transformation. I am drawn to capturing the layered and often unseen stories that shape who we are.