Thanks

Thanks so much to everyone able to come out to the recent Art Papers Auction as well as the opening reception for my exhibition at Fay Gold Gallery last week. It was a celebration to be sure and your incredible support and e-mails and well wishes for success are all deeply appreciated. Posted are a few installation shots and an image from opening night. 

Please continue to support the arts, the galleries and the artists you love... you are the ones making the biggest difference in our creative lives and we love sharing our work with you!

Fay Gold Gallery Opening: Feb. 13th, 7-9pm

Art Papers 10th Annual Auction

On Saturday, February 7th, Art Papers will hold its 10th Annual Art Auction at Mason Murer in Atlanta, Georgia. This is stellar showcase of work by over 300 famed and emerging artists from around the world. I have donated the painting, "Concurrent II",  for this event and hope that you all will be able to come out to enjoy and help show your support!  Please follow this link to purchase your tickets and to find out more information about absentee bidding and/or other details. Thanks so much for your support!! 

"Concurrent II"

15"x 48" x 2"

Mixed Media Painting on Wood Panel

© Jennifer J L Jones

Value: $2600.

Minimum Bid: $260.

Fay Gold Gallery Opening: Feb. 13th, 7-9pm

My bad! So I just found out that my show at Fay Gold Gallery is actually on Friday, February 13th from 7-9pm (not Feb. 11th). Sorry for any confusion!
I hope to see you there!!
~Jennifer


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Veronica Kessenich, Director
veronica@faygoldgallery.com; 404.233.3843

Terri Hallman

Jennifer J L Jones

Anthony Liggins

Ferdinand Rosa

"I feel more like a tunnel, a channel, a conduit passing through a variety of thoughts and emotions through the world itself which I transform and which metamorphosis me in turn"
- Anselm Kiefer

WHAT: Four Artists to Watch
WHO: Terri Hallman, Jennifer J L Jones, Anthony Liggins, Ferdinand Rosa
WHEN: February 13 - March 28
Opening Reception: Friday, February 13 from 7 to 9 pm
WHERE: Fay Gold Gallery, 764 Miami Circle

Atlanta, GA – The question that curators, collectors, critics and art dealer ponder is: How do you predict which artists of our time will be well-known 100 years from now? Who will be embraced by the museums in the next century?

In selecting Terri Hallman, Jennifer J L Jones, Anthony Liggins, and Ferdinand Rosa we looked for accessibility, humor, and influence on other artists, conceptual breakthrough and spirituality. Their art is rich and full of surprises and they have explored a wide variety of media. Hopefully, their new intellectual weight will attribute to the longevity of their work.


TERRI HALLMAN

Hallman's primitive abstract faces at first seem simple, but on closer observation, her laborious technique creates unusual layers of depth. Her colors are super-saturated and the surfaces have a textural quality. Hallman begins by laying out dry pigments on paper. She sprays clear acrylic then using tape, she masks off areas. She repeats this process several times while applying pressure with her hands. No brushes are used. She scrapes or tears away selected areas, revealing layers of color underneath. The next step is to apply oil paint washes on the surface. The work is in constant transformation until it "reaches maturity". This procedure lessens the color field ground while highlighting the importance of the faces or figures. Her work combines strange anthropomorphic creatures and comic version of personages from master paintings. With their bright colors and mildly cynical figuration, the painting engages is a delicate balancing act which is overcome by exquisite tension and delight.


JENNIFER J L JONES

Through her intuitive painting process, Atlanta artist Jennifer Jones wants people to understand her work within their own way own thinking, their own history. In a way, each viewer "finished" her painting with their own vision. She wants them to see something within them that she has never thought of herself.

Jones has reduced natural forms to iconic, silhouetted shapes in compositions that make landscapes the occasion for an extremely refined treatment of materials and painting surface. She investigates relations of dimension, proportion and shape. Her use of high gloss varnish as well as her meticulous stylization of branches and leaves slacken the tension between image and abstraction. Her compositions appear to be strongly influenced by Japanese prints. Her reason to paint is to "transform" something that possesses her. An apparition becomes asymmetry. She draws on the mysterious sources of inspiration and inventiveness to define her individuality in this world.


ANTHONY LIGGINS

Anthony Liggins nominally monochromatic paintings are full of quiet dappled light. Interwoven with hatch marks, Liggins paintings are grid-based compositions staccato frenzies of colorful under painting overlaid with fragments as the result of a long series of controlled steps. He slowly builds up opaque but luminous areas of color. He creates a fluttering sensation with his irregular dots pressed on canvas and wood. He adds chopsticks wrapped in multicolor thread into fabric stitching which seem to knit together on the paintings surface. The patterned marks summon up aspects of Japanese textile design such as those used in children's kimonos. It suggests a more unified composition closer to an activated surface of chromatic variety.



FERDINAND ROSA

Atlanta artist Ferdinand Rosa's new work dealing with allegorical abstraction is a sincere and humble submission to a spiritual experience he had in the Southwest. In moving away from representation, Rosa offers us a means of solace and uplift. His work is exemplary of freedom and spontaneity. It is influenced by American Indian culture and southwestern sunsets. He gives a new perspective to space and fills his canvases with symbols of a cultural moment in time. This new body of work has become a lot more complicated than it used to be. Composed of fuzzy passages of tomato and brick red, creams and dark green earth tones, the paintings are reminiscent of early American Indian tapestries. Rosa's airy allover painting is woven from the canvas's edges to the center or intrudes from the corners. In many works, nature's elements - sky, mountains, sun, light and reflection - are cast as abstract patches of vivid color.


Veronica Kessenich

Fay Gold Gallery
764 Miami Circle
Atlanta GA 30324

404.233.3843 o
404.365.8633 f

Scattered, Smothered & Covered

So far this year has been anything but dull. I keep promising I will update everyone, but I am very behind on many things and admittedly a bit creatively scattered. Even with the help of my wonderful new assistant... somehow time eludes me. For the most part I've been in the new studio working hard to complete my latest paintings that will be featured in the show coming up at Fay Gold Gallery on February 11th. Invites will be sent out soon, but mark your calendars today so you can save the date!! 

Posted here are a few snapshots of the new studio and works in progress... (My new studio is located near downtown Decatur, in Avondale Estates, GA, just behind the very first Waffle House ... which I think is pretty keen.) 

Also, I wanted to share a quote someone sent me today that I love:

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past.
You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy or any of your time, or any of your space."

~Johnny Cash

It's a nice reminder to look ahead and so was the inspiration that hit me yesterday ... I thought about commenting on President Obama's Inaugural address... stepping up and taking responsibility and all really hit home... but then I realized he already said it and there really isn't anything else I need to add, so my only comment is "...yeah, what he said...."  :)

So, there is definitely MUCH more to come... the Art Papers Auction is coming up SOON (February 7th!) and my Fay Gold Gallery opening is but a few weeks away!!!! That's all I can blog about for now ... just wanted to let you all know I'm alive and well and working hard. 

I'd better get back to it!

Cheers and hopes that this quick post finds you all well!!

Happy New Year

I blinked and it was 2009!  Unbelievable that time moves so quickly... and to think so much goes in to each day, week, and month... all to make up a year.  I'm grateful for all the ups and downs of 2008... and have my hopes set high for 2009 and am looking straight ahead. Thanks to all of you who have continued to support my artwork... you have no idea how much it means to me...  Over the next twelve months I'm looking forward to producing my best work yet and sharing it with all of you. 

My warmest and most heartfelt wishes go out to everyone with the hopes that this year will be the best for all by far.  May you reach your goals and be blessed with endless peace, good health, happiness, and love.  Happy New Year!!!

Holiday Wishes

My sincere thanks and gratitude go out to you all for your incredible support of my artwork.   It truly means the world to me!!

May your holidays and this beautiful winter season fill you with warmth, creativity, and love!

"Winter Lagoon" (totems)

6 @ 40"x5"

Mixed Media Painting on Wood Panels

© 2008 Jennifer J L Jones

New Jennifer Jones Art Assistant

I'm feeling extremely blessed and pleased to announce that I finally have a new assistant! Denis will start tomorrow and I just wanted to take a moment to share the good news and introduce him (albeit virtually) to all of you. With his help I'll be able to keep you better up to date with news and events, finish moving into my new studio (and will post pics to share), host a studio-warming party soon that I hope many will come out for, happily complete my Hungry Ghost series & commissions, continue working on the new paintings for my upcoming Fay Gold Gallery show in February.... and in general get caught up with all of my art biz and spend lots more time in the studio. Hurrah!!! I'm so thrilled; couldn't have happened at a better time! 

I hope this post finds you all enjoying the seasons best...  

Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture in LA Times!

Thanks to so many who have purchased Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture!  It was just reviewed in the Los Angeles Times "Favorite Books 2008" feature!  Check out the review here!  

God save the Chocolate Bar!!!

Many of you know one of my very favorite places is The Chocolate Bar located in downtown Decatur.  This is the place I go to celebrate with my friends after my art shows ... and a place that has grown dear to my heart... not just because of the delicious drinks, food, and desserts, but for all of the wonderful people I've met there this year. I've made best friends, had many laughs, gotten into a bit of trouble now and then... and even fallen head over heels there... it really is an amazing place. 

I'm posting this because The Chocolate Bar needs your HELP!! Due to the down turn of the economy it is becoming more difficult for retail and food businesses to stay afloat.  The Chocolate Bar is one of those businesses. The concept is great and has so much potential, but it needs some financing and energy behind it.  If you know of anyone who is interested in helping The Chocolate Bar sustain and grow then please send them this information and have them get in touch!! In order for the Chocolate Bar to survive, they need an investor or buyer!  

Contact Karen Britain @#404-323-9081

THE CHOCOLATE BAR 

201 West Ponce De Leon Avenue, Suite C 

Decatur GA, 30030

404-378-0630

info@thechocolatebardecatur.com

"Come to Light" Selected for 2008 December Show House

I'm pleased to announce that "Come to Light" (one of my paintings from the yet to be released "Hungry Ghost" series) was recently chosen by the fabulous Douglas Weiss (Interior Designer extraordinaire) for the 2008 Designer Show House.  

Now in its thirty-fourth year, The Alliance Childrens' Theatre Christmas House, now known as The 2008 Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Christmas House to benefit the Alliance Children's Theatre, is now the most successful Designer Show House ever.  Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine and Canonbury Homes, Inc. designated this stately 12,700 sq. ft. Buckhead mansion as the 2008 Christmas House.

The House, designed by Harrison Design Associates and situated on almost 2 acres of very visible and desirable real estate, featured individually decorated rooms by the area's "A" list designers to showcase high-style interiors while capturing the essence of the Season.  

As an example of how behind I am on sharing news with everyone (many apologies!) the Preview Party Gala and Silent Auction was held on Friday, November 14th and the house was open for public tours from November 15th thru December 7th.  "Come to Light" was featured in the master suite of the house located at 1620 Mt. Paran Road, Atlanta, Georgia.  "Come to Light" can be viewed at the Fay Gold Gallery.

Little Tree Studios Weekend Event

The owners of the building where my new studio is located are hosting a weekend event... live music, holiday art show in their new gallery space, and some of the other artists will have open studios. Even though I've begun working in my studio, I'm still moving into my new space and getting set up, so unfortunately my studio won't be open to the public, but I will be making an appearance on Saturday night and if I see you while there I'll certainly invite you to take a peak at my space. It should be a fun event in any case... hope you'll stop by!!  

Saturday, December 6th (10 to 6pm)

Sunday, December 7th (11 to 5pm)

***

Little Tree Studios

2830 Franklin Street

Avondale Estates, GA 30002

For information call: #404.297.9960

Books on the brain

One of my older brothers just celebrated his birthday (Happy Birthday, Mike!!)... and my gift to him this year was a copy of the newly released book Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture (featuring one of my paintings "Rapture II".)  I was especially proud to share this with him and sign it with a big note of personal thanks;  he was the one that gave me my first set of oil paints, paint brushes and canvas... and I've been happily painting ever since.  To be included in such an elegant book is thrilling and I hope those of you who have purchased your own copy will enjoy it from cover to cover... and will perhaps even consider purchasing this as a gift to others as well. 

I have many stacks of books that I keep meaning to get to... some I've read, a few I want to re-read, others I've merely skimmed/flipped through, and the rest keep calling my name and I keep swearing I'll make time for them... but the timing has to be just right (and speaking of time, I'm not even going to go on about how freaked out I am that it's already December!)  

Then there are the elite few that make it to the top of my list immediately and are absorbed as soon as my eyes are upon them (especially when they are written/created by others I know and admire.)  There are a couple of my friends that I'd like to briefly blog-brag about as they also have recent and newly published books that are absolutely wonderful! 

Samara O'Shea... your open, honest writing and heart in Note to Self inspired me to journal again after so many years of neglect. Thank you!! I'm so happy to be able to call you a friend! (And congratulation on all of your well deserved success!) Find Samara's books here. 

And 

Brit Hammer... yet again you've produced another gorgeous book full of inspiration!! I just received my copy of Mosaic: Finding Your Own Voice and absolutely love it! Congratulations! Your love truly cascades, my dear friend, and I can't wait to visit you in the Netherlands! Find Brit's books here.  

There are so many books I could list and mention and recommend, but these are the few for now I wanted to highlight. I hope you find inspiration in these books and so many others out there just waiting to be absorbed! 

More soon... including an exciting announcement coming up next week... and other posts as I'm still trying to catch up on all the news and goings on! 

Mark Your Calendars!

I'm pleased to announce that my work will be featured in "New Artists to Watch", an upcoming exhibition at the Fay Gold Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia.  The other artists to be featured in this show are Ferdinand Rosa, Terri Hallman, and Anthony Liggins.  Please mark your calendars now to save the date!!! I'll be working hard in my new studio on some incredible new pieces to share with you! Thanks so much for your continued support!

New Artists to Watch

February 11 -March 28th, 2009

•••

Fay Gold Gallery

764 Miami Circle

Atlanta, Georgia 30324

www.faygoldgallery.com

I Love NY!

I'm taking a quick break from moving into my new art studio so I can catch everyone up on my news & tidbits... and do a little more sharing... as promised. 

View from Park Avenue Hyatt at Grand Central Station

Earlier this month I had the great fortune to spend three incredible days in NYC.  I know it comes as a huge shock to almost everyone, but besides a half day trip for a meeting years ago, this was pretty much my first time in New York.  I know! I know! An artist who hasn't been to NYC!? It seems preposterous. Believe me, I've had quite a few tongue lashings about it. My artwork is all over New York... but I've been waiting for the right time to get there myself... and thankfully that opportunity finally arrived...

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

I'm happy to say that it was perfect. And exhilarating. NOW I know why everyone falls in love with New York. I am now its newest, biggest fan and can't wait to go back again!

View from the Rainbow Room

From the moment I arrived, the energy and pace of the city immediately lifted my spirits. The friendly nature of those I was meeting and the ease of getting around the city certainly helped too.  

Empire State Building

I wasted no time exploring the neighborhoods, feasting at delicious restaurants, shopping, stopping by a few galleries, and wandering through Central Park...

Central Park

....watching the marathon, and of course hitting the museums and a few tourist spots. 

Guggenheim Museum

MOMA

My days filled quickly. The highlight by far was attending a live taping of SNL (thank you soooooo very much, Judy!!), which was hosted by Ben Affleck and a guest appearance was made by Senator John McCain just before the elections.  AND they actually let me in to the SNL after party as well. What a blast!!! It was truly the most fun I've had in well... a long, long time!  

Rockefeller Center

SNL

After party pic with Fred Armisen

I also had the pleasure of meeting and being photographed by Cameron Krone... an incredible artist whose work I'm a huge fan of and I've blogged-bragged about before. . . 

Photo shoot with Cameron Krone

All in all a huge success... and I can't wait to go back later in December with friends and again for the future book release party.  It probably wouldn't take much convincing to get me to move to New York at some point... we'll see how things go!

I'll post more news soon about some VERY exciting events & other things to note .... just as soon as I finish moving into the new studio! 

Sweet Chicago

 

Chicago Sky

           

Book Release party at Sonotheque

(sorry... the club was VERY dark & mysterious...)

Not a minute was wasted during my short time in Chicago to attend the successful book release party for 'Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture'at Sonotheque Thursday night.  The club was sleek, sexy, modern and full of guests enjoying the live performances, DJ sets & visuals from the book flashing on the video screens 'til the wee morning hours. Meeting new people, signing the book, and visiting and sharing countless libations with my dear Chi-town friends again was more than enough to make the short, but sweet trip completely worth it. I'd like to extend my thanks to the folks at Front Forty Press for all of their hard work... I'm honored to be a part of this collective endeavor and look forward to seeing you at the future book release parties/happenings coming up in NYC & L.A... as well as the related exhibition scheduled at the Hyde Park Art Center in July, 2009! 

Thanks so much to all of you who were able to come out to help us celebrate... and to those of you who have ordered your copy of this incredible book online... thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!

View from W Hotel of Navy Pier/Lake Michigan

Book Release Party in Chicago

This Thursday night I'll be in Chicago at Sonotheque to help Front Forty Press and friends celebrate the release of  'Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture'!  I can't wait to see my dear Chi-town pals again and hope those of you in the area can come out and join us for this stirring night of entertainment and socializing!!  (If you'd like to purchase a copy of the book online, please follow this link.) On behalf of Front Forty and the other artists involved, thank you all so much for your incredible support!

Book Release Party for Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture

November 20th, 2008/9PM-2AM

Sonotheque/1444 W Chicago Ave.

$5 (free before 10PM)/21+

With live performances by:  Mykel Boyd & Zelienople

DJ set by: David Castillo

Fun & Success at PINKer!

Friday night Soho Myriad hosted PINKer, the 2nd annual art sale, silent auction, and cocktail party benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  I had a wonderful time with all of you who were able to attend and would like to extend my thanks for your support of such a worthy cause!  (Especially to my new collectors who bid on and purchased "By Moonlight"!  Thank you!!) 

My new collectors with"By Moonlight" (triptych)

Adoration from one of my biggest fans! 

Just a sliver of the great turn out of 600! 

Jen & Foreman

Wrapping up the sales

As is tradition... the after party celebration with pals at Chocolate Bar in Decatur

Fay Gold Gallery Opening

I was proud to have part of the "Mizu" series as well as a selection of paintings from the "Enchantment" series included in the most recent exhibition at the Fay Gold Gallery opening on Wednesday night.  

Thanks so much to those of you able to come out and show your support! I encourage anyone who didn't have the opportunity to see this show to stop by the gallery before the January 2nd.  (Milo Lockett's prolific body of work, Rhythms of Argentina fills the gallery and is one show not to be missed!!) 

Looking forward to seeing you at the PINKer show tonight at Soho Myriad!

My sincere thanks and warmest wishes!!

~Jennifer

To Twitter or Not to Twitter

I thought this video was great. Things are so busy and moving so quickly for me that I've had a hard time keeping everyone up to date with all the wonderful news via blogging/posting. I've been encouraged by a few friends to give "Twitter" a try... so, I may see if it's "all that" or just one more distraction from the studio. Hmm....

Perhaps I'll just make more of an effort to map out my time/schedule better. So, in the next few days & following week, I'll be posting news & images from the Fay Gold Gallery opening last night, my exciting trip to NYC, my most recent artist trades, announcements of new collections, updates on my "Hungry Ghost" series/recent paintings, my new art studio, the link to purchase your copy of the newly published and released 'Signs of the Apocalypse / Rapture' book (along with the invite to the release party I'll be attending in Chicago next week), and the updates for the Soho Myriad PINKer show tomorrow night! Stay tuned for all this and oh so much more!! 

Thank you all so very much for your amazing continued support!! 

Review of "Signs of the Apocalypse / Rapture"

Newcity review of "Signs of the Apocalypse / Rapture"

Read the review by Jason Foumberg of Newcity Art below:

You can tell that we’re comfortable with the end of times when the subject gets its own coffee-table book. Front Forty Press has curated, designed and published a hardcover tome featuring artwork from over sixty artists and including two music CDs. The book is divided into the destruction of the world—Apocalypse—and the ethereal bliss that comes after—Rapture. Doomsday is depicted in horror vacui illustrations where debris swells into suffocating masses in work by Andrew Schoultz, Todd Arsenault, Mark Chariker and Joe Vaux, and dystopic landscapes pictured by Jean-Pierre Roy, David Opdyke, Lora Fosberg and Suzy Poling. Rapture, on the other hand, is characterized by Julie Mehretu’s ambient colorscapes, Bill Viola’s weightless dreams, and Doug & Mike Starn’s patchwork vision of Buddha. The Apocalypse CD contains tracks of sustained ambient noise, whereas Rapture is, by comparison, a harmonic savior.

The first essay in the book, by artist Christopher Bucklow, explains the apocalypse as a religious event, but it’s telling that in his introduction, the book’s publisher Doug Fogelson writes, “With the future ever upon us we are at a shameful state of affairs. There are so many real concerns facing humanity right now”—yet the exact date of “right now” is never given. The end of times is a fear adaptable to any time in human history; it is, in essence, timeless. Fogelson is hopeful, though. By getting acquainted with the “signs” of the end, he says, we’ll be able to tune in to the problems, and possibly the solutions.

Still, the broad array of artwork collected in the book is a feast for the eyes. I asked Fogelson if there’s anything odd about enjoying the look of such dark subject matter. “There’s a lot of beauty in the chaos,” he replied. With co-curator Ryanne Baynham, Fogelson created the collector’s edition for the end of times. Sonotheque will host a release party for the book on November 20, and a related exhibition is scheduled at the Hyde Park Art Center in July, 2009. $65 from Front Forty Press.

Published October 27 on http://art.newcity.com/2008/10/27/eye-exam-the-darkside/

PINKer

Friday, November 14th, Soho Myriad will host PINKer. An art sale, silent auction, and cocktail party to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.  I have donated "By Moonlight" (triptych) for this event and look forward to seeing you there!! 

Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture

I’m pleased to announce that Front Forty Press has finally received the book Signs of the Apocalypse/Rapture back from the printer in China! This tome is almost 300 pages long, with over sixty world class artists (including me! Yay!), it contains two full-length audio CD’s, and a ton of written matter that will blow you away. Creating this book has been a full time effort for the collaborating team at Front Forty Press and the results are well worth their time & effort. I am honored to have been invited to have one of my works included among such stellar company! 

Check it out here: www.front40press.com for more information & to purchase your copy of this numbered edition!! Thank you so much for all of your incredible support!! 

"Rapture II"

48"x48"

Mixed Media Painting on Wood

© Jennifer J L Jones