About the Artist

Catalina CELIS Reasoner

was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, in a family of five children where art, literature, and music were our daily bread and butter. Growing up with a medley of German, Venezuelan, and Colombian holiday traditions, and where creativity was encouraged daily, my imagination saw no limits. I found inspiration in every corner of our house. Designed by my dad, an architect, its windowed walls inviting in nature and light. Light transformed every corner of our house, every moment of the day while I day-dreamed of princesses, dragons and knights. I wrote stories, plays, and poems in which my day-dreamed characters stitched tales with magical threads and pixie dust. I brought my characters to life with my Prismacolor pencils, on a Strathmore sketchbook from my dad. And, with my twin sister, Claudia, we invented perfume-talcum cakes, and brick-powder mosquito bite poultices.

Even though I graduated as a Chemical Engineer with a Minor in Computer Science and currently work in Information Technology as a Business Systems Analyst, I have always pursued my artistic ambitions, which germinated inside the walls of my house and were fostered by my family’s love. As a fine art artist, I have participated in several collective exhibits; The Columbus Art Festival, and a solo exhibit at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Sofía Imber for example. My illustrations for the ballet “La Doncella,” by Alberto Grau, the “A Ceremony of Carols,” by Benjamin Britten, and Earthsongs’ Latin-American Music series are among my most relevant illustration work. As a 3D artist, my Christmas ornaments are my latest creations which combine my love for art, creativity, engineering processes and my insatiable imagination.

Today, I live in Columbus, Ohio, with my husband Steve, a few fairies, pixies, and gnomes, who have taken home in my English garden, and the frequent guests, doe and fawns, who come to eat the hostas in my garden.

ART SHOWS & FESTIVALS

• Christkindl Markt, Dayton, OH (2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017)
• Columbus Winterfair, Columbus, OH (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 – virtual, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013)
• Columbus Christmas Fair, Columbus, OH (2023, 2018, 2017, 2016)
• Christkindl Markt, Canton, OH (2018, 2017, 2016)
• Ohio Mart, Akron, OH (2018, 2017, 2016)
• Mennonite Church – Columbus, OH (2018, 2017)
• ArtAffaire – Milford, OH (2018)
• Ohio Wizard of Oz Festival – Macedonia, OH (2023, 2018)
• Dazzle – Ashland University, Ashland, OH (2017)
• Our Lady of Victory – Grandview, OH (2017, 2002)
• Makapen Art Show, Columbus, OH (2017)
• Barberton Mum Festival, Barberton, OH (2014)
• WoodsStock Music & Arts Festival, Elmore, OH (2014)
• Art on the Lawn, Yellow Springs, OH (2014)
• Lazy Daze of Summer Festival, Grandview, OH (2014)
• Clintonville Arts Festival, Columbus, OH (1999)
• Creation ’96, A Celebration of Liturgical Art, Columbus, OH (1996)
• Columbus Art Festival, Columbus, OH (1992)

FINE ART EXHIBITS

• Solo Exhibit, “Museo de Art Contemporáneo de Caracas”, Caracas, Venezuela (1994)
• New England Fine Art Institute Annual Art Exhibit, Boston, MA (1993)
• “Salón Municipal de Pintura de Aragua”, Maracay, Venezuela (1984)
• “Salón de Pintura Ingenua Homenaje a Simón Bolívar”, Caracas, Venezuela (1984)
• “Salón de Pintura Ingenua de Fundarte”, Caracas, Venezuela (1983)
• “Salón de Arte de Aragua”, Maracay, Venezuela (1982)
• “Salón de Arte Arturo Michelena”, Caracas, Venezuela (1981)
• “Salón Nacional del Jóvenes Artistas”, Caracas, Venezuela (1981)
• “Salón de Pintura Ingenua Bárbaro Rivas”, Caracas, Venezuela (1980)
• “Tercer Salón Anual de Pintura de Banap”, Caracas, Venezuela (1978)

OTHER RELEVANT WORK

• Acrylic on canvas commissioned by the María Guinand, director of the Cantoría Alberto Grau, for the cover of their LP album “A Ceremony of Carols”
• Acrylic on canvas commissioned by musician Alberto Grau for the premier of his ballet “La Doncella”; featured on program and commemorative posters
• Illustrations for Latin-American Music series, published by earthsongs, Corvallis, OR (1990 – present)
• Book “Catalina Celis, the earthsongs Illustrations”, published by earthsongs, Corvallis, OR (2007)