My studio is located on a little mini-farm next to the ocean
near La Selva Beach, in Santa Cruz, California, where I have lived
for almost 40 years
surrounded by the beauty of nature, lots of animals, art, and a
nurturing environment for creating.
I consider myself an experimenter, having explored many mediums and
genres, from impressionist plein air painting to figurative work, to
abstract expressionism, working in
paint, clay, fabric, collage, assemblage, and whatever else inspired my
creative spirit. I have always considered myself primarily a painter,
however, with my favorite medium being watercolor.
My current work surprised me, mainly because it just CAME OUT OF THE
BLUE in early 2008, and it seems to flow out
effortlessly. I started experimenting with Yupo paper, using sumi ink
and water, resulting in unusual textural effects.
Adding watercolor paint, the effects became more
dramatic and interesting, as one color fused into another, creating
even more
possibilities, including figures, faces, and animals, which my
imagination perceived emerging in the paint as it dried, which
compelled me to go in and bring to life with pen and ink. This
resulted
in an ongoing series of paintings, which I call "MORPHS."
Why? Because when I really let my imagination have free reign, one
image, be it animal or human or who knows what, may become another,
without any logic to it. Almost always the images are connected to
each other in some way, or are interacting, perhaps one consuming
another or kissing or hugging or dancing. I never know what is going
to happen. I just put my pen on the paper and it starts filling in the
details. It feels like I am plugged in to some current in the
creative flow of the universe. The images
reflect the way I see life on this earth--everything being
interconnected.
The morphs are also fun, rather child-like, and children do respond to
them, trying to find all the critters and even making up stories about
them. These paintings are different from the usual kinds of art people
hang in children's bedrooms, and will give them a new kind of
appreciation for more modern playful images that not only stimulate
their imaginations but may also inspire them to try painting their own
versions.
Adults who like modern art and are in touch with their inner
kid also enjoy the morphs. From a distance they appear to be
expressionist paintings. Up close, one begins to see the defined
images and their often humorous interactions. The morph patterns also
seem to appeal to surfers, skateboarders, and snowboarders. I have
been encouraged
to transfer the images onto cloth for sports clothing. It has been
suggested they would be great on scrubs for nurses and veterinary
assistants, bringing some
cheerfulness to the clients they deal with. I am
collaborating with a marketing professional in Los Angeles to explore
these and other options (see "The Artist's Representative).
I see art-making as a
vehicle for transformation of awareness, leading
to social transformation. It starts with the self--exploring who you
are as a human, as a spiritual entity, and as a contributor to the
evolution of the planet. Art is a powerful way to affect things.
Most important to me, as a former psychologist, it is also an important
vehicle for personal healing and consciousness transformation.
Feel free to contact me directly: jaki<at>got.net
Thank you for visiting my website.
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