Bella Soenen’s studio practice primarily involves working from life by direct observation, often in plein aire. Working on site allows for the unique perception and misperception of the human eye to interact with the ephemeral beauty of the place or figure - a moment that will never appear the same way again. Gouache, pastel, and casein are some of the mediums she carries with her to observe. She returns to her studio with fleshed out studies that hold enough information for larger paintings to be produced. She tends to work on multiple pieces, types of surfaces and concepts at one time, as she finds they communicate with each other and further challenge her perception of the subjects. Often, Bella will build the frames for her work, a way to carry out her studio practice to its full potential.