About

Larica Schnell is a South African multidisciplinary artist based in New York City. Trained in theatre, she spent much of her adult life as a performer, and received her Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of San Diego in 2018. In 2020, when the pandemic silenced the stage but not her need for expression, she turned to painting.

Since then, Schnell has explored a range of subjects and media, with a current focus on vibrant oil paintings that often take the form of expressive, indulgent tablescapes. Most recently her work was featured in Artsy’s “Women-Led Galleries Now” exhibition, and selected as one of 6 favourites. She is represented by Chrissy Moore Art Advisory based in Edinburgh, and is a member of Elevator Studios in Jersey City, where she regularly hosts open studios and collaborates with fellow artists.

Drawing on her background in theatre, Schnell approaches the canvas like the stage - arranging objects, light, space, and perspective into intimate scenes of shared meals, celebration, and quiet aftermath. Her paintings originate from an ever-growing collection of photographs, with the aim of capturing and distilling the emotional residue of a gathering: half-finished drinks, scattered fruit, flickering candles, handwritten notes. Through bold color and playful composition, she transforms everyday rituals into vivid reflections on connection and the small moments that shape our lives.