Adena Barela — contemporary artist sculpting color and light.
Minneapolis-based painter crafting abstract works that explore belonging, memory, and the resonance of everyday moments.
Years creating
12+
Mediums
Acrylic & mixed media
Collections
Private & public
Process
Texture-forward & intuitive
Artist statement
Adena's paintings balance bold strokes with subtle gradients — a practice rooted in noticing the quiet light between everyday moments. Each piece is layered over time, allowing pigments to settle, scrape, and reveal what sits underneath.
Inspired by the shifting seasons of Minnesota, her work explores how memory bends color and shape. The result: tactile surfaces that feel both immediate and nostalgic, inviting viewers to lean in close.
Practice pillars
Material honesty
Textures, drips, and palette knife marks remain visible — proof of the process.
Intentional color
Luminous blues and grounded neutrals echo lake reflections and night walks.
Human connection
Each series is built to live with — calming a room while inviting conversation.