Tucked into a quiet space on Cascade Avenue, The Look Up Gallery includes work from many local artists, including the working studio space of artist Hannah Moghbel. Moghbel’s work is on display in the gallery and she actively paints while she’s there so the public can come see her work as it’s created.
Moghbel’s oil paintings explore various subjects, and she chooses images based on the quality of light. She especially loves the contrast of dark and light—she’s drawn to details and texture that the light brings out. She loves the translucency of things, so her images are often backlit to highlight translucent features. The effect is stunning and mesmerizing.
When asked about what inspires her work, Moghbel says, “I follow what I’m interested in and it seems like the common thread is the quality of light and texture in things.”
Despite not being surrounded by any professional artists as a child, Moghbel always dreamed of becoming an artist. Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania, she didn’t know that being a full-time artist was an option, so she aspired to be an art teacher. After receiving training in massage therapy and a degree in art education, she ultimately realized that teaching would not leave her with enough time for her own painting. In order to pursue her love for painting, she currently works as a massage therapist and paints during her free time.
Latest Work
Moghbel’s most recent work focuses on prickly pear cactus flowers. Following a challenging time in her life, she chose the cactus flowers because she was trying to channel the resilience and endurance of the plant. The bloom of the cactus flowers became a symbol for her during the painting process. Moghbel noted that the cactus flowers don’t look like much in the winter, but the blooming season is worth the wait.
“It’s really just this beautiful, fleeting, transient phenomenon that happens,” she says. “I think it’s spectacular and I really wanted to capture that.”
Future Plans
In the future, Moghbel aspires to be a full-time artist and a part-time massage therapist.
Her artwork will be on display as part of the holiday group show at the Auric Gallery. Because she’s always chasing the quality of light and texture, the actual subject she paints is secondary. It makes her style unique and recognizable. Being a very tactile person, her artwork reflects that. Moghbel says she creates for herself and it makes her really happy that people want to take pieces home. She loves the idea of her paintings existing beyond her lifetime.
Address + Phone: 517 S. Cascade Avenue | 719-338-2494
Website: https://hannahmoghbel.com
Facebook: @TheLookUpGallery
Instagram: @HannahMoghbel | @TheLookUpGallery