Artists

Maribel Hernández, born in Michoacán, Mexico, exhibited a creative passion from a young age, making hopscotch designs by four and marveling at bird migrations by eight. Her first colored pencil set, gifted by her grandmother, ignited her love for vibrant colors. After moving to California, she began expressing her artistry on canvas. Maribel’s distinctive style encompasses graphic design, interior design, fashion accessories, photography, ceramics, and painting, reflecting her passion for life’s rhythms and emotional landscapes.

For 17 years, she has been a resident artist at Bell Arts Factory, serving as an art teacher and, since June 2023, is the Executive Director at Bell Arts Factory.

Rêves de Sabine offers 100% natural skincare, body care, and perfumes rooted in the French tradition of celebrating beauty at every age. Born in Franche-Comté, France, Sabine grew up surrounded by meadows, wildflowers, and forests, inspiring her to create natural products that truly care for your skin. She crafts each small batch to be microbiome-friendly and free of preservatives, parabens, and synthetics. Her slow beauty philosophy embraces simple, restorative rituals that nurture your skin, uplift your senses, and enhance well-being. Sabine reminds us that true beauty blooms when we respect ourselves and the environment.

I’m a Graphic Designer, Artist and the creative force behind Kasleberry Upcycled, my upcycled clothing business. As a mother, artist, and nature enthusiast, I pour my heart and soul into crafting sustainable upcycled clothing and art. My passion stems from a deep love for our planet and a commitment to conserving its resources. 

In my artistic pursuits, I strive to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Whether I’m scouring local swap meets and thrift stores for second-hand treasures or chasing after my energetic boys, I’m constantly inspired by the beauty of repurposing and giving new life to pre-loved items.

At Bell Arts Factory, I create from the quiet place where soul meets canvas. My work weaves together intuition, color, and story, offering a glimpse into the unseen layers of life. Each piece is a conversation with spirit, an exploration of healing, growth, and authentic expression. Currently building the foundations of Soul Kua Creations, I invite you to experience the beginning of this unfolding journey. My studio is a space of creation, connection, and becoming. Stay tuned — the best is yet to be revealed.

Started my digital retouching career at Electric Paint, Hollywood, California, under Tony Redhead on a Quantel Graphic Paintbox. Spent two years learning what I thought was all I needed to know, but the real stuff was about to begin…

Studio 37 is a photographic darkroom featuring artists Abeeree Alexander, Ava Hall, Dylan Meyer, Angelo Partemi, and Abigail Sucsy. From street photography to portraiture, Studio 37 is a place where these artists work to develop, print, experiment, and play. Each artist’s uniquely personal approach shows just how versatile the media of film photography is and the works developed are intensely personal windows into the intimate and ephemeral moments that make up our world.

Photograph by Dylan Meyer

D.Lisa is a dream doula, an atelier trained artist, and spiritual teacher and speaker. Her recent paintings are 5 feet by 5 feet, and feature images from old photo albums, and her dreams and imagination. Her inspirational courses are taught online and in person on the west coast. D. Lisa uses dream images and dream messages in her art and in her workshops. She regularly hosts digital detox sessions in the BellArts Studios, where artists of all skill levels can spend an afternoon, doodling, or painting, free from tech. 

YouTube, TikTok

Lynnae Talavera is a fine artist and portrait photographer based in Thousand Oaks, California. She is passionate about creating vibrant portraiture that captures strength, beauty, and the inner essence of her subjects. Drawing inspiration from classical techniques, her style blends realism with surrealism. Through her art, Lynnae seeks to celebrate the rich diversity of people and the unique stories they carry. Whether behind the camera or with a paint brush, she is driven by a desire to reveal the unseen and honor the humanity in everyone she portrays.

Danielle Rios-White, a Ventura native, studied Art at California Lutheran University, where she began to paint in abstract form. It is also where she experimented with the variations of macro style, which is often seen in her work today.

Her artwork is a reflection of the things that bring her joy. Most of her work is heavily inspired by life, love, nature, and personal growth. She enjoys a color palette full of vibrancy, as well as the use of bold lines, and brushstrokes.

Gabriela Leon is an artist from Oxnard, California, whose work is rooted in cultural heritage, personal expression, and the beauty of tradition and femininity. She was raised in a home rich with music, Mexican traditions, and dance, which became integral to her identity and artistic inspiration. From an early age, Gabriela was dran to the rhythmic energy and spiritual depth inspired by her father’s stories, who would express dance and music as a form of prayer. Though some tradition felt outdated in her teenage years, leading to moment of rebellion, she ultimately found strength in culture, seeing it as a source of artistic expression.

Raised in Ventura, Celeste loves creating projects beaming with colors and vibrancy. This includes collages, painting/drawing, sewing! A few types of art media she enjoys include: weaving, animation, jewelry, sculptures and glasswork. 

Graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in History and Environmental Studies, and even took a couple animation courses! 

Celeste is working for BAF doing administrative work and is assisting Maribel with the kid’s Spanish art class. 

Guatemalteca. 25.

Ahzriel Addams, Lead artist at Ahz Unlimited Studios. Studied at Ventura College. Lover of all animals, incorporating the real and the mystical.

Artist at large in Ventura California since 1989.

Multimedia sculptor, mural painter, educator, photo maker, Illustrator, Public Art and Community Artist.

BA: UC Santa Cruz

MA :  Humboldt State University

Current 2024 selected bio:

Recent Public Projects: 2024 restoration of WestPark Mural @ ReCreation/ Let it Be Known” 1995-1996 60’x16’ 1

DinoTanks- AERA/CRC commission 8/24. 2  24’ watertanks, North Ventura Ave. Ventura CA

The Projects- a Tortilla Flats Legacy Mural 10/25. With Moses Mora. @ VHA Westview Village Ventura Ca

Sister city Artist 2024-25

Artist Patricia Keller explores process and materiality of clay to create large-scale, hand-built sculptures and site-specific installations inspired by the intersectionality of nature and human existence.  Using line, repetition, and accumulation her intention is to create an immersive experience to induce a visceral reaction to provoke intrigue, mystery, memory, or emotion.

The artist earned a Bachelor of Arts, Studio Emphasis, in 2019 from California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) in Camarillo, California, where she studied ceramics, sculpture, and screen printing.  She currently teaches ceramics at CSU Channel Islands and California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks.

Alfredo Gonzalez, known as Dofre, is an artist based in Oxnard, California, whose work bridges the worlds of street art and traditional oil painting. With roots in graffiti, Gonzalez’s style has evolved into a unique form of “disrupted realism”, characterized by dynamic figurative art and portraits. His pieces reflect a deep psychological exploration, often blending urban influences with the classic techniques of fine art. By combining the energy of street art with the depth and nuance of oil painting, Gonzalez creates compelling, thought-provoking works that push the boundaries of both genres.

Marc L. Williams is an abstract cartoon artist based in Ventura, California. Known for his vibrant use of color, bold shapes, and dynamic compositions, he blends elements from art history with playful cartoonish imagery to create art that is both whimsical and thought provoking. With a style that draws inspiration from video games, illustration, and graffiti, Marc crafts visual narratives that engage the viewer in a dialogue between the unexpected and the familiar. These paintings invite viewers to explore the tension between order and chaos, while maintaining a sense of joy and lightheartedness.

Mary Christine Ballestero is a local artist who has worked her way through school and has returned home to discover a new adventure. After living and working in the Bay Area for over a decade Christine is now going back to her fine art roots. Having tried many disciplines she found her love of painting was what she kept returning to.

Suncat Creations is art by Dawn Reily. Here you will see pics of works in progress and the inside scoop on what I am creating in the studio.

Cesar Aldana is a skilled artist based in Ventura County who works with oils, acrylics, graphic design illustration, tattoos and printmaking. Born in Los Angeles but raised in Oxnard, Cesar gravitated to art at an early age through his love of cartoon images and comic books where he would spend countless hours recreating characters from his favorite artists such as Todd McFarlane and Walt Disney.

Brooke Jepsen is a local freelance seamstress whose focus is to create fun, vibrant goods that bring joy to those who use or wear them. Recreating upcycled fabrics into one of a kind pieces, Brooke sews anything from tote bags to curtains to colorful canvas art pieces. Also known as Far Out, she has integrated her sewing into the community of Ventura where she grew up and collaborates with local businesses.

Noah Sharp is a graphic designer & artist with a focus on typography and lettering. Working professionally under the name ‘nosh’, he builds and develops brands for local businesses with a process rooted in purpose and timeless visual aesthetics.

Noah carries over his eye for design into his art pieces, exploring how typography can permeate through the realm of design into the world of fine art.

Belle Kim is a South Korean artist based in Ventura, California, whose work explores themes of time, space, and interconnectedness. Her journey from Korea to the USA deeply informs her art, blending personal experiences with surreal landscapes. Drawing inspiration from human relationships, nature, and daily encounters, she creates sacred spaces on canvas that challenge perceptions and evoke introspection. Through bold compositions of humans, animals, and plants, Belle invites viewers to lose themselves in her dreamscapes and discover personal meaning. Her process emphasizes spontaneity and emotion, resulting in works that transcend boundaries and encourage limitless imagination.

Megan is a returning artist at Bell and has been a Featured Artist for ArtWalk.

My name is Erika Sanchez, and I am the creator, founder, and CEO of Global ReACH foundation. During my evolution process, I experienced a lack of guidance and solid foundation, not understanding the importance of emotional health. It was upon becoming a mother of two children and being left alone to care for them that I realized something was not right in my life. I recognized the need to seek assistance to redirect my path, connect with my being, and share it with those in similar situations.

Justin Herrera is a photographer whose images are as diverse as his curiosities. His work is a collection of moments captured to give permanence to memories of the people, places and things he’s seen. These works are varied and yet all remind us of the complexity of our experience. They include the beauty of the natural world, the unique faces of loved ones and strangers, the joy of live music and comedy, or simply the way light shapes the world as he sees it. He invites us all to share in his experience and be reminded of their own.

California Impressionist

Local acrylic painter with flare for California scenery.

Andrew grew up in Ventura County, where his mother taught him everything he knows about painting. Andrew’s inspiration comes from his many days spent surfing and backpacking the Golden State. His style closely resembles mid-century impressionism and public works art. Emphasis is on contrast of color and shape. Andrew is currently a pilot for an aerial advertisement company. He enjoys daily coffee and hot sauce

I draw form nature from many of my decorating ideas and porcelain is the perfect canvas. I use simple clean decorating techniques and like to make pieces that are functional as well as visually pleasing.

Dawne J. Fowkes Cushing is a studio potter who is an adherent to the traditions of making her own clay and glazes. Using porcelain and white stoneware clays, Dawne’s pottery focuses on the users’ sensual connection between a handmade object and the utilitarian aspect of everyday use.

I’m an old school punk rock chick originally from Philly. I’ve tried just about every creative medium out there and finally fell back to what I did as a teenager, making punk rock clothing and band patches, even though this time it’s mostly for dogs and cats!  Using a variety of fun fabrics, furs, lace and stencils and embroidery, I started off making clothes for my little chihuahua Dori during the lockdown, and have since blossomed into a full time love affair, selling at shops and markets, local punk shows as well as on Etsy. Stop by and say hi at Studio 99!

Erin is a self-taught artist with a passion for tiles, stones and even grout–discovered during her time working with flooring. She is currently exploring the art of layering tile over painted grout, adding a unique dimension to her mosaics.
Beyond her tile work, she crafts jewelry inspired by the whimsical, organic and elegant women in her life.

Always eager to expand her skills, she is now teaching herself how to create mobiles from stained glass scraps.

Erin works out of the historical Bell Arts Mattress Factory,  a center for wonderful artists in beautiful Ventura, CA.

Clay Parlor: Studio West location is a community ceramics studio offering 1 day classes and multi-week courses for adults and children as well as open studio time for returning students and experienced potters.