Author: jenfishjones

Submerged: Artist Profile

Artist Profile

 

What better way to launch a blog than to share the recent Artist Profile Q and A from the Driftless Art Collective (DArt Co.) in relation to my current exhibit in Decorah, Iowa.

DArt Co.: Tell us about your studio/workspace: what do you surround yourself with when you work?

JFJ: I am currently using a portion of our dining room as a studio. While it makes using our dining room table for meals a little challenging, painting with the abundance of natural light is wonderful on so many levels. I have plans to move the studio downstairs to our basement in the not too distant future, but I fear I will be forever spoiled by the fantastic light of the dining room. While I work, I enjoy listening to music while my dog Moe rests beneath the easels. So far his coat remains paint free, but it is only a matter of time.

DArt Co.: What motivates you to keep creating new work?

JFJ: My work’s current underwater theme is incredibly compelling and can travel in so many different directions that I cannot even conceive coming up for air anytime soon. Portraying water and the refraction of light on it’s own is multi dimensional, but then you add people and that opens up another myriad of options. I have also considered painting swimming animals, but that’s off on the horizon.
To answer the question, the work creates flow which in turn, inspires more work.

DArt Co.: How does your practice reflect you and your interests?

JFJ: There have always been two constants in my life: water and creative energy. It has taken me many years to evolve to the point where the thought combining the two became apparent.

I am an avid swimmer and in the pool most days of the week. Water keeps me balanced and I am a much better human being as a result of moving through it on a regular basis. Likewise with having a range of creative outlets over the years. While I may not have been actively making “art”, I used my creative energy in many different disciplines ranging from cooking to running a school.
To be able to get wet, interact with swimmers, take photos, and paint as a means to an end is quite simply… marvelous.

Self Portrait (2014) • 16" x 20" • $325
Self Portrait

DArt Co.: How important is an online presence for artists today?

JFJ: The development of an online presence is a fantastic tool for artists. I reflect back to when I graduated from college with my Studio Art Major and was too fearful to approach galleries on foot with my giant portfolio in hand. It is now so much easier to self market, submit proposals, create a name for oneself and even sell art with the help of today’s digital technology. Speaking of which, my website will be fully functional, complete with blog very soon. www.jenfishjones.com

DArt Co.: What advice would you give to your artist self if you were starting out now?

Artist Profile

 

What better way to launch a blog than to share the recent Artist Profile Q and A from the Driftless Art Collective (DArt Co.) in relation to my current exhibit in Decorah, Iowa.

DArt Co.: Tell us about your studio/workspace: what do you surround yourself with when you work?

JFJ: I am currently using a portion of our dining room as a studio. While it makes using our dining room table for meals a little challenging, painting with the abundance of natural light is wonderful on so many levels. I have plans to move the studio downstairs to our basement in the not too distant future, but I fear I will be forever spoiled by the fantastic light of the dining room. While I work, I enjoy listening to music while my dog Moe rests beneath the easels. So far his coat remains paint free, but it is only a matter of time.

DArt Co.: What motivates you to keep creating new work?

JFJ: My work’s current underwater theme is incredibly compelling and can travel in so many different directions that I cannot even conceive coming up for air anytime soon. Portraying water and the refraction of light on it’s own is multi dimensional, but then you add people and that opens up another myriad of options. I have also considered painting swimming animals, but that’s off on the horizon.
To answer the question, the work creates flow which in turn, inspires more work.

DArt Co.: How does your practice reflect you and your interests?

JFJ: There have always been two constants in my life: water and creative energy. It has taken me many years to evolve to the point where the thought combining the two became apparent.

I am an avid swimmer and in the pool most days of the week. Water keeps me balanced and I am a much better human being as a result of moving through it on a regular basis. Likewise with having a range of creative outlets over the years. While I may not have been actively making “art”, I used my creative energy in many different disciplines ranging from cooking to running a school.
To be able to get wet, interact with swimmers, take photos, and paint as a means to an end is quite simply… marvelous.

 

DArt Co.: How important is an online presence for artists today?

JFJ: The development of an online presence is a fantastic tool for artists. I reflect back to when I graduated from college with my Studio Art Major and was too fearful to approach galleries on foot with my giant portfolio in hand. It is now so much easier to self market, submit proposals, create a name for oneself and even sell art with the help of today’s digital technology. Speaking of which, my website will be fully functional, complete with blog very soon. www.jenfishjones.com

DArt Co.: What advice would you give to your artist self if you were starting out now?

“Why is Everyone Green?”

 

This is the most commonly asked question I receive regarding my recent body of work featuring those submerged and swimming.

Clever answers abound, including, but not limited to:

“They’re Martians!”

“She ran out of skin tone colored paint.”

“This must be what people look like through goggles.”

Regardless of what form the conversation takes, I like that my work gets people thinking and talking and possibly leads them to linger just a little bit longer in this day and age of constant rushing.

Family Portrait: Hydrated (2014) • 36" x 48" • Oil on Canvas • $525Family Portrait: Hydrated

 

The Real Reason for the Green?

Quite simply, I have always loved blues and greens together, particularly the phthalocyanine varieties.  When faced with the skin tone decision on my first piece of the series, “Family Portrait: Hydrated”, I chose to depict the skin with a green tinge as skin appears slightly this way underwater and it would be more fun to paint green skin than tan skin. I was also in the midst of painting different fruits and vegetables in palettes very unlike themselves so the progression was pretty natural. In addition, I liked the effect and over all feel of the pieces  and felt I had such a broad range of hues and shades to explore in this application that I have kept going with it.   You may notice that some pieces are very saturated and others more subdued. I have found myself toning things down the slightest bit, but  to the untrained “Submerged” viewer, they all look pretty green.

Everyman

When painting the multiple figure paintings, I have entertained thoughts of the green skin tone being a great equalizer amongst man. The attempt at “Everyman” in underwater portraiture, if you will. I have the intention to expand subjects to encompass more varied ages, races, body types and swimming abilities with the green skin tone serving as the common denominator.  But that’s in the queue along with a great number of other things…. up next is some exciting portraits of individual collegiate swimmers and teams with young club swimmers right around the corner!

See you in the water!

 

Jennifer