Teil’s Figure Studies have been a predominant and beloved subject matter since the earliest days of her career. Referencing traditional nudes while also diverting from more classical examples, Teil’s female figures are always presented in a contemporary color palette that invites the eye to discern the figure through line, light and shadow. Eye catching when installed within interiors, these works incorporate just enough visual information to communicate to the viewer the proportions, pose and light source of the figure while also telling a bold color story.

Teil’s beach scenes originated as a subject focus when she was living in Charleston. The city that kick-started her fine art career, Teil was endlessly inspired by the changing scenes, people, color and light that could be seen across Charleston’s beaches. Dissecting the elements of beach scenes experienced in real life gaveTeil so much creative energy: the patterns in bathing suits, the vast open sky juxtaposed with the tightly positioned crowds, umbrellas dancing in the breeze casting shadow and reflecting light… the depth of visual material wooed Teil and inspired her to create one of her most popular subjects on canvas. Since painting her first beaches in 2013, she has continued to push and pull the series by bringing the view closer or farther in composition, narrowing or expanding the scale of the composition and playing with perspective. 

Teil’s love of painting landscapes began in the form of a commissioned forest scene inspired by the Bible verse John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light of life.” Since this early iteration of the series, Teil has continued to be called back to the subject in an effort to continue to play with color combinations and perspective. As a subject matter that calls great viewer attention to the contrast of darkness and light, Teil enjoys revisiting landscapes often.

Teil’s still life collection is one she often comes back to to expand. This subject focus highlights the artist’s love of light and shadow. Paintings within this category reflect and portray sunlight traveling through ordinary objects, often daily snapshots of simple things that might ordinarily go unnoticed. Captured in paint, focused on color and composition, Teil’s Still Lives take ordinary and elevate it to extraordinary.