About
Isabelle is a New York City–based figurative painter working primarily in oil on panel and canvas. Rooted in classical realism, her work explores the relationship between the human figure, light, and symbolic form, often drawing on literary motifs from American modernist and Southern Gothic traditions. Water frequently appears as both a physical and metaphysical presence. Her paintings pursue narrative and symbolic depth while emphasizing stillness, clarity, and a measured emotional register through careful observation and deliberate composition.
Largely self-trained in oil painting, Isabelle has developed her practice through sustained studio work and continued study. She was awarded a grant to study fine arts at the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU, as well as during a summer program at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she focused on human anatomy and figure drawing. She continues her education through classes at the Art Students League of New York, reinforcing the structural and observational foundations of her work. She holds a magna cum laude Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Southern Methodist University.
Isabelle’s practice gravitates toward classical realism and traditional techniques to achieve a convincing sense of light, shadow, and form. She aims to achieve a philosophical bent in her use of symbolism, allowing recurring motifs to generate both narrative and conceptual resonance within each piece. While oil remains her primary medium, she also works in pastel pencil and charcoal, which inform her approach to drawing, surface, and tonal structure.