Kesala, Bohdanna

Universal Rose, 2011
42 x 42 in
Acrylic, oil and wax on canvas

Code to Happiness, 2003
42 x 42 in
Oil and wax on canvas

Lace Sky, 2010
42 x 42 in
Acrylic, oil & wax on canvas

Bohdanna Kesala learned to express herself through the arts at a very early age. One of her first memories was winning Third Place for her painting in an art competition for the Chicago Public Schools. She was only three. Born in Pamplona, Spain to Ukrainian/American parents, Bohdanna moved to the United States at age two. Since then, she has been involved in the arts in just about every aspect of her life.

While at Indiana University – Bloomington, one of Bohdanna’s paintings“Reflections On Reading About the Vietnam War” was published on the cover of her professor’s book: “Teaching Hearts and Minds: Students Reflect on the Vietnam War in Literature” by Barry M. Kroll. After graduating from IU in 1993 with a B.S., Bohdanna worked in Chicago as an Event Planner. During this time Bohdanna exhibited her photography in various galleries in Chicago. In 1999, Bohdanna moved to San Francisco to further pursue her arts education. She attended the California College of the Arts for a year and a half and then in 2004, Bohdanna graduated with her Masters in Fine Arts in Painting from San Francisco State University. She currently works in her studio in San Francisco. She has exhibited her paintings in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Greenwich and Italy. Bohdanna has also taught at the San Francisco Art Institute Adult Continuing Education Department.

For inspiration, Bohdanna draws, takes photographs, knits, and quilts. Bohdanna lives in San Francisco with her husband, Jason, their two sons Samuel and Oliver.

*No part of this text may be reprinted, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior permission from the gallery.