Ragellah Rourke has been creating luminous abstract paintings for over 30 years. Working in both oil and acrylic she gradually builds up the surface of her paintings intuitively. Her surfaces are lush worlds which encompass energetic brush strokes suspended over atmospheric backdrops. Occupying an ethereal space, there is a sense of movement in the forms and imagery in which Rourke creates a place that is based in nature, yet is altered, intensified, and poetic. These sophisticated compositions are created through chaos that never reveals a definitive narrative. Ragellah Rourke was born in upstate New York in 1963. She attended Russell Sage Junior College then the University at Albany where she graduated with a degree in Fine Arts. For the past twenty years she has lived with her family in East Berne, New York. The natural beauty of the countryside surrounding her has been a major influence on her work. "My paintings are very textural and built up slowly over long periods of time. The surface holds the memory of the painting's development, all the time looking for clues for what will come next. Transparent, watery, washes of paint are applied over parts of the surface, exposing or covering the preexisting marks and textures. I look for connections between the forms that develop. They are never something that I logically calculate, but rather a long string of chances, thoughts, and guesses. The appearance and meaning develop throughout the progression of the painting. It is a continuous search for resolution, balance and mystery within the painting." 1998 BA, Painting, University at Albany, State University of New YorkSOLO EXHIBITIONS2023 Albert Shahinian Fine Art, Rhinebeck, NY2022 Albert Shahinian Fine Art, Rhinebeck, NY2022 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY2018 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY2016 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY2015 Sorelle Gallery, Albany, NY2014 Sorelle Gallery, Albany, NY2014 Sorelle Gallery, New Canaan, CT2013 Sorelle Gallery,Albany, NY2012 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY2011 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY2009 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY2008 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY2007 Carrie haddad Gallery, Hudson NY2006 Windham Fine Arts, Windham NY2004 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY2003 Gallery 100, Saratoga Springs NY2001 Sienna College, Loudonville, NY1999 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson NY1999 The Palmer House, Rensselaerville NY1998 Designer’s Studio, Saratoga Springs, NY1998 Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NYGROUP EXHIBITIONS2017 Fieldstones Inaugural Artist Residency Exhibit, Medusa, NY2015 Laura Rathe Fine Art, Houston, TX2014 Laura Rathe Fine Art, Houston TX2014 Sorelle Gallery, Art Hamptons, Bridgehampton, NY2013 Laura Rathe Fine Art, Houston,TX2013 Galleria Jan, LA Jolla, CA2011 Kobalt Gallery,Provincetown, MA2008 Galleria Jan, La Jolla, CA2007 Galleria Jan, La JOlla, CA2007 Bachlier Cardonsky Gallery, Kent CT2007 Galleria Jan, La Jolla, CA2006 Galleria Jan, La Jolla, CA2006 Windham Fine Arts, Windham, NY2005 Fine Art Forum, Metropolitan Pavillion, New York, NY2005 Jan Galleria, La Jolla, CA2003 Gallery 100, Saratoga Springs, NY2000 Albany Center Gallery, Albany, NY1998 New York State Biennial, New York State Museum, Albany, NYAWARDS AND PUBLICATION2022 Two Coats of Paint, review2022 Chronogram, review2018 Hudson Antiques and Art Association2014 Patch, review2011 The Brooklyn Rail, review, Robert Morgan2010 The Country and Abroad2009 The Country Review2006 Catskill Mountain Region Guide, review, Sue Stovall2003 The Saratogian, review, Thomas Dimopoulos1999 The Independent, review, Peter Bergman1998 The Times Union, review, William Jaeger