Explore the World…. Through the lens of Pondell and the words of Emily Dickinson
My goal as an artist is to be an extreme observer without judgement of my environment, people, animals, and situations in general.
I fell in love with Emily Dickinson after reading a biography and her poetry. Emily Dickinson’s unique poetry inspires me to see things differently, a dandelion becoming a sparkler, a daisy becoming the voice of God, and a diamond in a dandelion.
Bio
Pondell creates visual art from the inspiring poetry of Emily Dickinson. Pondell’s goal is to give the viewer what Emily has given her, a deeper awareness and new perspective on nature, love, and life.
Pondell graduated with a BFA from Denison University, then went on to study figure drawing in Toledo, OH, Cincinnati, OH, and then Louisville, KY. Her concentration on the figure led to her passion for studying the top physical condition of Muhammad Ali. He is “the Greatest of All Time”, and she was honored as a local artist to exhibit at the Muhammad Ali Center. That dedication and discipline to be the best at what you do by Muhammad Ali, is also a shared characteristic of Emily Dickinson. Although never famous in her lifetime, she worked on her poetry like the world depended on it. She had confidence about her and her work that never subsided. Pondell hopes to do the same in art.
PONDELL’S
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
Attended: Master of Fine Arts. University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 2003
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography. Denison University, Granville, Ohio, 1996
Honor: Cora W. Shepardson Scholarship 1995-96
Study Abroad: University of Central England, Birmingham England, spring 1995
Museum Exhibitions
Muhammad Ali Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 2013
Exhibit: “Ali; The Greatest” made in collaboration with the Evolve Gallery from Sacramento
California.
Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio, 1996
Exhibit: “Toledo Area Artist”
Duo Exhibitions
Mellwood Art Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 2013 Exhibit: “Figures/Feelings”
Semantics Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1999 Exhibit: “Capture Rapture”
Group Exhibitions and Awards
First Place: “Award of Excellence Exhibit”, Toledo Artists Club, Toledo, Ohio, 2001 Best of Show: “Figure Show”, Spectrum Gallery, Toledo, Ohio, 1996
“The Illustrated Word”: Kentucky Arts Council, Frankfort, Kentucky, 2017
“Portrait Show”: Phylis Weston Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio, 2015
“The Metzger Memorial”: St. Louis Artists’ Guild, St. Louis, Missouri, 2007
“Arts On Main”: Shelby County Community Theatre Building, Shelbyville, Kentucky, 2005
“Women of Wisdom”: Project Women, Louisville, Kentucky, 2004
“Figure and Portrait Show”: Spectrum Gallery, Toledo, Ohio, 2003
Donation: “Art Fever”, Lexington Art League
Artist in Residency: Kentucky Women Art Foundation, Hopscotch House, 2013
Publications
News channel, WDRB Fox: Profiling my Muhammad Ali Exhibit, Louisville Kentucky, 2013
“Today Woman” Magazine: Profiling my Muhammad Ali Exhibit, Louisville Kentucky, 2013
“The Kentucky Advocate” Newspaper: The piece I created for the show “Dancers” was featured on the front page. Danville Kentucky, 2008
Private Collections
Various Individual collections
Muhammad Ali and Residence
The White house for President Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama
Commissions
Highland Presbyterian, Louisville, Kentucky
Crescent Hill Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky
Various individual commissions
