Tension 4 x 6 lino block print

New Installation

This is from the new work here at Chautauqua.  One installation shot and two closeups. 

 

 

1600 miles and every NE state but Rhode Island.

Since leaving DC last week, I've put 1600 miles and counting on my car. I've been to every New England state but Rhode Island. I saw millions of trees, the Atlantic Ocean, tried my first real lobster, and met relatives I've only ever heard about.

life is funny sometimes and the messages are fairly clear....

so this was my horoscope today... I also just found out that my boss hired a permanent person rather than a summer intern.. I guess the stars are trying to tell me something.. I just wish they would explain a little better so I'm not so freaked by the unknown....

Quickie:
Today it will be very clear that permanence is a fallacy. Nothing lasts forever.

Overview:
The stars are definitely in your favor right now, so go for it. Prepare for your career status and the passion factor in your life to go through the roof. You can carry out any plans now, no matter how grandiose.

I'M DONE!!!!!!

Well,

 

Its been a helluva ride thus far.  Tonight is the big celebration of 2 years of hard work.  I'm planning on celebrating BIG!!!! 

 

The last several weeks have been crazy and at time I almost think someone should have commited me.  Unlike most of my counterparts who have been planning what they were going to display in our thesis show,  I changed my entire body of work and created everything a week before the show went up.  So for those that received my postcard...that painting isn't even in the Museum.  Everything is brand spanking new.  Its also been a parade of critics, curators, and gallerists, and collectors through our studios and the show, so cross your fingers for me!

 

I was awarded the Jo-Anne Crisp Ellert Award for Excellence along with my roomate from Rome, Becca.  I think we were both floored and flattered by the recognition.  As well as I received a Mellon Grant from the University for the preparation of my thesis show.  Plans after this include visiting family and friends for a few weeks then heading to upstate New York for the Summer for the Chautauqua School of Art residency program where I have been given a scholarship to attend.  I'm hoping to develop that shiny new body of work there.

 

So...the suitcases can't be burned yet.  I'm still gonna be a travelling fool, but at this point, I think I'm ready for the next adventure!  Hope this finds everyone happy, well, and enjoying life!

 

Jenny

 

P.S.  I"m attaching a quick photo of the new work.

--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

Last inning stretch!!!!

Hey there!

So this adventure of graduate school is coming to a close in just a few short weeks.  Its hard to believe these two years have passed by so fast and what an adventure!!!!

 

I'm including some of the images that I have been working with.  I hope you enjoy.  As you can see the latest, the sculptural wall piece is a big leap.  Its a new and scary direction, but feel ultimately more comfortable, not to mention much more fun!   (The middle one "Disappearance of Constraint" has recently been chosen to appear on the cover of a book of poetry.  I'm currently working with the author and the publisher and will have more details later for all.)

 

My thesis show will be April 21 - May 27.  The opening is May 5.  I will also be in a group show in Alexandria, Virginia called Art-o-matic at the same time.  More details for that soon.

 

As far as plans after grad school? I have no clue really, its the first time in a long time I don't have a plan and in many respects, it feels good.  There are a lot of possibilities I'm currently exploring so we'll see where that leads. 

 

If you would like to receive a postcard for my thesis show please send me your updated addresses.

 

Hope this finds everyone well, healthy, and enjoying the spring weather! Let me know how you are doing.

 

Jenny's latest...

So,

I really haven't dropped off of the face of the earth.  I'm still in grad school in Washington DC.  I will graduate in May.  (It doesn't seem as if it has been two years).  My thesis exhibition will open the on April 18th and run through May 13th.  Right now I'm re-learning how to have fun with paint (who know it wasn't supposed to be completely serious???) through assistant teaching non-art majors. 

I was able to go home for the holidays and enjoyed seeing my family, new niece, and some friends.  For those that I didn't see, I'm so sorry.  It doesn't mean I still don't think of you often.  While home, I had knee surgery on my left knee with very hopeful results.  Right now I'm in the healing process and visiting the physical therapist often.  But progress is steady and I am getting around pretty well now.  Not to mention, it gave me some more "material" for my thesis.

I'm enjoying my job at the marketing firm and learning alot about small businesses.  We are doing alot of work for non-profits that are trying to help the world out.  It helps me feel balanced and that my world is not completely consumed by art.  At this point, I've been offered a job after graduation with the firm and am seriously considering it.  I'm a little tired of schlepping my suitcases around the world and it would be nice to stay in one place long enough to see if I like it or not.  I'll be researching all of my options in the next few months and trying to decide what life after grad school will be like for me.  I'll likely be going to the College Art Association conference in New York in February, where I hope a clearer picture of what is available for jobs arises.

Well, I suppose the painting I'm working on is dry enough, so I better get back to working.  I hope you are all doing well.  I would love to hear from you.

Jenny



--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Open Studio December 2

OPEN STUDIO

 see where all the paint is going!

 

December 2

5-8 pm

 

american university

katzen center studio 257

washington, d.c.

 

in conjunction with the Katzen Museum Artist Reception (link below)

 

 

http://www.american.edu/cas/katzen/event_description.cfm?event=331

--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

That's It! I've had it with the neighbors! I'm moving!

They neighbors argue way too much, really to the point of ridiculousness. The cops constantly are swarming the neighborhood, but are never around when you actually need them. See attached picture of neighbors house. You'll understand. Not to mention, living in a place that is nicknamed the "virgin vault" and is stuck in the early 20th century isn't exactly helping either.... So. I'm moving. Actually, it's all about the extra sleep I'm going to get from being 2 blocks from work and not commuting an hour a day.....



Hope this finds you all well and happy.

Jenny

The scoop on Jenny in DC

Hi all,

 

It's recently been brought to my attention that its has been too long between mass emails.  First,  I hope this finds everyone prosperous and content.

 

So, What have I been up to lately.   In the words of Monet, "Im not performing miracles, I'm using up and wasting a lot of paint...".  I'm including two pictures of works IN PROGRESS, to demonstrate.  Some of you will recognize this a huge departure from my work prior to graduate school.  However,  it seems to be much easier to work on and deal with.  Its something that I know more intimately than any of my previous work.  Something that I feel I can speak with passion on in my paintings.  They are both over 5 feet in lenght/height. 

 

I flew to Boston this last weekend to see a show that I thought might help inform my current work.  Not only did I make a contact for myself with the gallery (which is two blocks from Harvard and has connections to galleries in New York) but I also was able to meet the artist of the show and schedule a studio visit in New York with her in order to help me understand my work better.  This is not your normal gallery experience, I assure you.  These amazing opportunities still amaze me.  Not only that I got a signed working copy of her book to boot!

 

I am currently under application also to move into an apartment.  I found one that is much closer to work (2 blocks walking vs 45 min commute) that will allow me more time in my day and the ability to finally cook!   I'm starting to go into kitchen withdrawals, and its really not a pretty picture.  It is also a place that I feel like I can call "home" for a while and not continually be living out of my suitcases as I have done for the last year and half.  I'm really sick of my suitcases at this point. 

 

My job is going really well for the marketing firm.  I have been offered a full time position after I graduate.  It definately gives me a little more breathing room when May comes and an I have to face life after grad school.  I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, but as long as I'm painting, I can be satisfied. 

 

Anyways,  that is the long and short of me lately...How about you?  I'd love to hear how everyone is doing...

 

Jenny

hi

Hi all,

 

Sorry for the mass email, but it seems my time is eaten by the studio.  I'm trying slowly to get to everyone.  I'm usually leaving for work around 8 in the morning and getting home past 11pm from the studio.  Work at the marketing firm is going well and is offering a good break from the constant studio practice. 

 

I just wanted to send a little update.  I'm doing well.  I'm alive.  And I really am very happy with my decision to come to DC early.  My studio is gorgeous.  I want to be here.  I want to be creating.  Its amazing what happens when someone feels comfortable in their own environment.  I'm really starting to make some good friends.  There have been some great laughs so far and the air around here is much lighter than in my previous year. 

 

My current work is well on its way.  I've got my first group crit in 2 weeks and I'm trying very hard to get several pieces ready for it.  My scale has taken a huge leap and I'm working right now on 4 pieces that excede my arm span. 

 

I am managing to get out and see the city a little on Sunday's.  Its what we call SundayFunday.  It helps us get some perspective and see a museum and maybe explore a new neighborhood together.  Anyways,  things are going well here.  How are they going where you are?

 

 

Jenn
--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
 

DC update

Hi all,

Just wanted to send a quick note saying that DC is starting to grow on me.  I've been able to just walk into major museums and wander to my heart's content.  I've managed to pick up a free concert at the Kennedy Center and find the best crabcakes.  I moved into my studio on Monday and I LOVE IT!!!!!!  Since all my studio supplies finally arrived yesterday, today is more the moving in day than any.  I was able to snag some furniture for the studio in the free for all the other day and so today it will start to feel a little more like home.  Classes thus far are going well.  There are several new 1st year grads and I'm glad to say, there is a great balance between men and women.  WOOHHOOOO!  It also seems to be a decent geographic mix as well, though I'm still the only native Northwester.

Anyways,  I hope this finds you all well and happy.  Keep in touch!

Jenny

--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ireland photos

Here are some photos from my trip to Ireland. Please follow the link below:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/rennyren76/album?.dir=/5b62re2&.src=ph&.tok=ph.4rMFBrG35x2ri

The adventures never end.

Hey all,

I'm hoping this finds you all well and happy. Would love to know the truth of it though.

Just a quick update on stateside adventures. I've moved. again.

I'm now living in Goldendale, WA and working at my best friend's winery. (My address will stay the same for now though) The benefits for me is a paycheck, wine, and studio space for work. I have gorgeous views of Mt. Adams, Hood, and on a very clear day Mt. Bachelor as well. I also have the Columbia River gorge at my doorstep so lots of wilderness adventures are to come.

I have to say vineyard work in tough, but its great being in the sun in the early evening and I get to meet really interesting people coming through the visitor's center from all over the world.

For those of you with travel adventures on your mind you can find me Monday through Friday at the Maryhill Visitor's Center and Waving Tree Winery Tasting Room on Hwy 97 just across the Columbia River from Biggs, OR.

I'll still be moving to DC in a month and a half so essentially its still suitcase living for me. But in the meantime, I intend to have fun with it all.

Jenny

There is no place like home!

Hi,

I have stopped my wandering (temporarily) and am unpacking my suitcases at home. It feels good to be home after the whirlwind year I've just had. Its been fun and awesome, but the bank coffers are telling me its time to get a job for the summer!

So that's what I'm doing this week, on the search for the summer job now that jetlag is a thing of the past. I'll be in the Tri-City area I think until around mid-August when I pack up again and move to the Washington, DC area to finish out my Master's.

Hope you are doing well and hope to see you soon! (if possible)

Jenny

--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its
possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to
what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

week 15 and then some

Dear Family and Friends

I got a concerned phone call because I hadn't sent out my weekly email recently. I want to assure all of you that I am fine and well. It has been extremely busy lately trying to get everything done for the end of the semester and continue with classes and prepare shows for both thesis and drawing. The good news is that I am done as of this Wednesday!!!! I've finished my art history class and drawing and I only have thesis to finish. We will have a marathon critique on Wednesday with a visiting artist, who aparantly is former faculty of the program and now works for a well known gallery in Paris. So it will be interesting to see what he has to say about my work. Thus far the public reaction has been good.

Some of the highlights in the last couple weeks have been the culminating art history project and class. I studied the church of San Lorenzo and developed a picture book from the death of the church from WWII bombings which allowed excavations to happen while it was being reconstructed that proved the location and existence of the original church that Constantine built. I actually did this all in a book I had found at the Sunday market on meaning of death and resurrection in the Catholic Church. I ended with pictures that I had taken of the present day church after the reconstructions of the bombings. I'm pretty happy with how the project ended up.

The final class was spectacular. We finally received an appointment to tour the Scavi underneath St. Peter's Basilica. For anyone that has read Dan Brown, they know which one I'm talking about. It is the third level underneath St. Peter's that was originally a Necropolis (ancient Roman pagan cemetery) that the Christians adopted later on.
The necropolis was secretly excavated around the 40's after they hit the roof of one of the family tombs in the process of digging a Pope's grave in the 2nd level under St. Peter's. The 2nd level is where most of the pope's are in a Mausoleum including the recent John Paul II. So anyways, this Necropolis, inside they found some really
interesting things, such as what is believed and now accepted (based on the archeological evidence) ST. PETER'S BONES.

Our tour guide was excellent, he allowed doubt to play a lot within his tour as well as was excellent in explaining the archeological and sociological aspects of burial habits in ancient Rome, pagan and Christian alike. He also assured us that Dan Brown was incorrect and there are no secret passageways in the bottom most layer of St. Peters. And I have to agree with the tour guide. Its cramped and small and any sort of excavations that happen down there have to be very careful because if they dig too much, it could be structurally unsafe. So being able to see part of the original constructions of St. Peter's tombs (built on top of each other) is difficult. But it was fascinating to actually see all of the layers of history literally built over one man. We ended the tour with the Lord's Prayer, which I felt extremely appropriate and moving.

PS this is actually even late from when I wrote it. My time has been consumed as a whole by the studio in the last several days. Fortunately my friends Carla and Dane were here so that I at least had to get out of the painting fumes and go meet them for dinners.

Today is the day. The Final day. Good or bad, I will be done with my first year of grad school. We have a visiting critic ( a former faculty member now working in a Paris gallery) so there will be a new perspective in the crits today. Mine is the final one so I will have to be nervous all day. But the good news is that I will be done
regardless.

I will then be finishing packing my studio and my aparment and travelling for the next several weeks through Italy, Scotland, and Ireland. So emails maybe just as scarce as they have been recenlty. But please know that I can't wait to see you all and that I'm looking very forward to coming home.

Jenny

--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its
possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to
what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rome week 12

Well this one is gonna be short I promise.

I'm just letting you all know that I'm alive and completely overwhelmed with school right now. I've got several large projects coming to a head this coming week as well as my program director is visiting, and open studios/thesis show on Saturday. Most all of my "free" time (not that I really know the meaning of that word) is spent in the studios or library doing last minute research.

Easter was good. A Buona Pasqua goes out to all those that celebrate it. I had a little dinner party in my garden and did actually manage coloring easter eggs this year as well. Also thanks to Mom, who sent me easter candy.

I hope this finds you all and well. I promise to send along more adventures when I get the chance.

Jenny

--
I want to live my life not by the regret of "what if", but by its
possibilities. -ME

What lies behind us and what lies before us are nothing compared to
what lies within us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rome week 11

Time here is becoming more precious. As I write each of these emails,
I become increasingly aware that as the week numbers get higher, I
have less time to explore and find the spirit of Rome. I honestly
believe I could be here for years and still not understand it fully.

However, just so you all aren't completely convinced I have my head in
the clouds here in Rome here's a dose of Italian reality. (I recently
wrote this to a cousin who wanted to swap places).. I do laundry in my
neighbors
apartment in a washer the size of a 2 gallon bucket, I swear. Of
course there is no dryer so all clothes must hang dry. I cook on a
hot plate that takes 20 minutes to boil water and 2 people cannot
stand in my kitchen together. Well, its more of a platform that holds
a small shelf, a fridge that should be in a dorm room, and a
waterspout that empties into an old marble basin with a depth of 3
inches. Of course if you turn the water on too much, the water
splashes everywhere but where
you want it to go. Which means the floor gets mopped regularly.

As far as electricity in the apartment goes. I think we've finally
figured out that only one plug in per outlet actually works. So the
extension cord that feeds the hotplate and my computer actually gets
plugged in in the bathroom. Which of course also means that if
someone is cooking, you can't shut the bathroom door all the way.
Fortunately the fridge is in a "secured" (meaning the plug is shoved
so far in you can't pull it out, even when trying very hard) outlet.

But then again, there are the outside pleasures of Rome. AKA, Rome is
spring is amazingly beautiful with flowers spilling from everywhere.
The scent of traffic is actually covered by all of the flowers in
bloom if one can imagine. I love the museums and even just riding the
bus gets you places you wouldn't have normally seen.

Last week was packed. Monday was spent in the midst of research and
papers. Tuesday was spent in several cemeteries and in the Church of
San Lorenzo Fuori la Mura. I have never experienced anything quite
like an Italian cemetery. The sculpture found in them is moving (and
great to draw from), family mausoleums are given as much attention as
palaces, and the landscaping is like walking through formal gardens.
Here, they give me the much needed peace from the pace of the city.
They are constantly filled with beautiful flowers and one can actually
hear the birds. Wednesday was spent in studio and attending a
lecture.

Thursday for class we studied San Giovanni en Laterno "the Mother of
all Churches" named that by Constantine who layed its first
foundations. It was interesting to be there at the beginning of the
Holy Week pilgrimages. There is a staircase (said to be the one
Christ walked on to see Pontius Pilot) in one of the churches across
the street that must be ascended only on ones knees as you pray to the
stains on the stairs. The stains are said to be those of Christ. At
the top of the stairs is the private chapel of the Popes.

Friday...ugg.. Friday was critique day. It amazes me that 30 minute
crits for 6 people end up being 7 (SEVEN) HOURS!!!!!!!!! 'nuff said.

After Friday, I figured that since it was the Week of Culture and all
state owned museums are free, that I should actually take advantage of
it. So on the weekend I went on a Museum Marathon starting with the
Etruscan Museum at Villa Guilia and the Modern Art Museum on Saturday
and then Sunday the Crypta Balbi (Ancient excavations and such) and
the Galleria Doria Pamphilli which has one of the most fabulous
privately owned painting collections I've ever seen. Not to mention,
the fact that the same family still owns them and the palace is
incredible.

Whew! Its been a week. Sorry this email was late. I needed a
breather :) Well this week promises to be even busier, so I best get
some rest for it.

Take care. Hope everyone is well at home.

Jenny

Rome week 10 (my, how its slipping by)

Last week was certainly a rollercoaster ride. The early part of last
week was spent with my head stuck in books and traveling throughout
libraries here in Rome trying to find sources for my art history
project. Of course the chase was for the sources in English.

Drawing class on Tuesday was spent on the Ponte St. Angelo near the
Vatican drawing. I actually started taking advantage of a tourist
taking a break across the bridge and used him as a live model. There
was also the entertainment of watching all of the purse sellers clear
the bridge when they thought the police were coming and return when
they thought the coast was clear. Of course this process was repeated
several times while we were there.

Wednesday night I treated myself for my birthday and went to a concert
of the Count Basie Orchestra at the new Auditorium build by Renzo
Piano. Both the building and the band were great. The auditorium
inside sort of looks like an inverted wooden turtle shell.

I mourned my 20's passing for most of the week and celebrated entering
a new decade on Thursday. My friends took me out for Indian food and
made me a cake with Reese's peanut butter cup frosting.

Art history class was spent looking at the architecture and baroque
paintings of Caravaggio and walking around the Campus Martius again
from Church to Palazzo to Church.

I went south for a mental break to see an old friend and his family
who have been stationed at the Naples Navy base. It was great to get
some Americana, relax, and not think, talk, or make art. I had the
fortunate opportunity to go to a t-ball game and a pee-wee soccer game
in a recreation park the Navy has built into a volcano crater. It was
fabulous!

Leslie, Trevor, the kids, and I all explored downtown Naples for a
little while Saturday and walked down Christmas Alley. It is the
street that has all of the shops selling the world renowned nativity
scenes of Naples. It was wonderful to be around kids, dogs, and a
family even for a little while. Life felt a little normal again. For
dinner they took me to a little trattoria down a back alley that was
some awesome. It's a fixed price place that you get what the cook
feels like for the day. The minute you sit down the food just keeps
coming and coming and coming. I still might be full.

I must thank Leslie, who took me to the commissary on base where I
stocked up on certain grocery items you just can't find such as:
cheddar cheese, maple syrup, jello pudding, and Reese's pieces and pb
cups. And to take on the train back to Rome with me, I swung by the
Subway on base. I have to say it was definitely a splurge to be able
to have that in the middle of a foreign country.

Yesterday was time to return to reality and concentrate on excavation
reports and analysis of early christian mosaics from the church of San
Lorenzo Fuori le Mura (my independent research project for art
history). I've take a break from them to write this, which reminds
me...I better get back to it.

I hope all of you are well and happy. Hope to hear from you soon.

Jenny