Rachell Sumpter’s Pastels

Rachell Sumpter, Ghosts 2009

Rachell Sumpter, Islander 2009

Rachell Sumpter, Mothers Little Helper

I’ve just discovered the Richard Heller Gallery and I can’t keep my eyes off of the delicious art featured there. Rachell Sumpter uses mainly gouache and pastel on paper and I can’t believe the worlds she invokes with her techniques. The colors are reminiscent of aurora bourealis and her characters are warmly dressed eskimos or ghosts residing in these mysterious lands that actually look fairly warm themselves. I enjoy the juxtaposition.

My favorite up above are the ghosts with rainbow beards, on first look, I thought they were puking rainbow. They remind me of the old mystics from Dark Crystal achingly traveling on their last journey.  The last image I have added because, yes, I love that a baby is riding a rat.