Artist Bio

Rafaella Portella is a 23 year old visual artist originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, now based in Miami, where she has lived for the past seven years. At 16 Rafaella moved to Miami, where she attended Miami Arts Charter High School. She later pursued figure drawing at the Barcelona Academy of Art in Barcelona, Spain, and MIFA in Miami, and earned her BFA from Barry University in 2025.
Rafaella’s work blends abstract expressionism, surrealism, and magical realism to explore themes of the unconscious, nature, and transformation. Her paintings often function as symbolic self portraits, merging the human figure with landscapes and organic forms to reflect her belief that nature mirrors human essence. Ceramics occasionally complement her painting practice, expanding the tactile and elemental aspects of her work. Currently, she is focused on refining her style as she deepens her connection between nature, herself and the mystery of life. Looking ahead, she plans to adopt a more ecological approach by exploring natural pigments and sustainable materials, aligning her creative process more closely with the natural world she seeks to honor.