While many artists have turned to representation to embody life in 2023, Werfel uses abstraction with disjunctive marks and colors to convey the cacophony of political/cultural currents that surround her. In her paintings, clearly defined lines and stencils exist in tension with naturalistic gestures, which fade in and out of focus like distant memories in an ambiguous space. Recent solo exhibitions include the American University of Paris, France and Prince Street Gallery in New York City. Artist residencies include the American Academy in Rome, the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center in Italy, the Djerassi Foundation, and Yosemite National Park. Werfel received her MFA from Columbia University, with additional study at the New York Studio School and a BA from Hamilton College. She is Professor of Art Emerita at University of California Davis.