"Boho Fluid Art" by Shelly Bales: Ladd Library Gallery

A collection of alcohol ink works on paper and birch cradleboard. This show will run from December 2025 through mid-February 2026.

From the artist:

I have been in IT for 25 years and have had a wonderful career in several different industries but have found the last five years I was craving a life change. So I decided to take my free time and return to studying abstract painting, which I gained interest in while I was in school.

I’ve been working with alcohol ink for about five years now and continue to learn more about this medium daily. Working with alcohol ink is like trying to control the uncontrollable. My work is about movement and allowing the ink to talk to me as I guide the ink and alcohol around the paper. Blending the colors directly on the substrate to create the depth, movement and flow. When I start to see the objects appearing I work the ink to accent or blend to soften it into the overall painting.

I moved in Cedar Rapids after graduating high school in the Amana colonies, received my AA in Computer Science from Kirkwood Community College and then married my husband nine years ago. I enjoy spending time with my granddaughter and my son, our two golden-doodles and of course my wonderful husband.

Displayed works are for sale. 

To contact the artist, email Boho Fluid Art at bohofluidart@gmail.com.