Rochelle Bayless received her formal artistic training through the Foundation Program at Maine College of Art (formerly Portland School of Art), where she initially studied photography before earning her BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Lyme Academy College of Fine Art. There, she studied the foundational principles of representational and figurative fine art through drawing, painting, sculpture, and classical color theory.

Following her undergraduate work, Bayless pursued graduate studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (formerly Hartford Seminary), earning an MA in Theology. Her academic focus included feminist theology, chaplaincy, and interfaith peacebuilding.

Bayless’s current artistic exploration is influenced by Zen Buddhism, particularly the Ensō tradition of circle drawing. Through this lineage, her work reflects themes of unity, emptiness, impermanence, and infinity, creating a meditative dialogue between disciplined craftsmanship, pure pigment, and contemplative practice.

Rochelle is inspired by the work of Jenny Saville, Édouard Vuillard, Mark Rothko, Barbara Kruger, and Thich Nhat Hanh. She is grateful for the opportunity to have studied with painter Henry Finkelstein and master draftsman Dean Keller, whose influence continues to shape her respect for craft and discipline.