BELFAST – Over the past year, I’ve had the enormous pleasure of working with the Penobscot Bay Pilot, releasing several artist/musician video profiles in the style of mini documentaries. It’s always interesting to become involved with these artists, seeing what they do and how they do it. Being alongside their creative process is inspiring and exciting.

Katenia Keller, a local artist who established Square the Circle gallery in Belfast, had seen some of my pieces about other local artists and invited me to her studio.

Keller’s paintings are astounding. Not only in number, (more than 90 cover the walls of her studio) but also because of their clear, geometric and symmetrical presentation. Straight lines, triangles, circles, squares, crosses, spirals – all arranged meticulously and specifically on masonite panels.

In her paintings, Keller uses the philosophical practice of sacred geometry, which emphasizes ratios and proportions that occur frequently in nature.

These appear just about everywhere: in the structure of a leaf, on the wing of a butterfly, across a slice of cucumber, in the shell of a snail — there are countless daily sights that are ordered by geometry, whether it’s basic symmetry or one of a variety of algorithmic asymmetries like Fibonacci numbers or fractals.

Following these cues in art, Keller said, aligns the mind with something essential in nature.

“With this practice you can begin to see and understand how life expands,” said Keller.

Keller began to study sacred geometry shortly after discovering crop circles.

“These were incredibly beautiful and intricate forms made with the earth,” she said. “This inspired me to begin drawing similar forms, which completely opened up a whole new world … Then, naturally, I began adding color with paints.”

Keller, who is also a student of the tarot system, began to see links between her geometric paintings and the cards of a tarot deck. Once she recognized the connection, Keller began painting with intention and created a whole tarot deck using the symbolism of sacred geometry.

“I have combined two disciplines, both of which examine the whole and its parts,” she said.

The video here talks more about sacred geometry and showcases Keller’s paintings, alongside some natural forms — some of which you may recognize.

Keller recently started a series using Masonic symbolism. An appropriate theme — Square the Circle is located in a former Masonic temple.

Like the tarot system, the new paintings revolve around self-examination and awareness.

Square the Circle is located at 137 High St. in Belfast. Keller offers tarot readings as well as a glimpse into the world of sacred geometry symbolism.

To reach Katenia Keller, kateniakeller2@gmail.com.

To reach filmmaker Wes Sterrs, wes.sterrs@gmail.com.