Hello from Jenna

Jenna Jones · 07-09-2002, 02:35 AM

Hello Friends,

My name is Jenna Jones. According to my parents, I began drawing happy faces over and over obsessively when I was two. My mom said I wanted to get the circle round. At four, I won an art contest and made my first T.V. appearance. My mom kept everything, including many of my childhood letters because I wrote backwards, from right to left. I had a great art teacher in grades 11 and 12, but my art college experience was nothing short of a disaster. Unfortunately, I quit art school and made a career as a veterinary assistant for close to 8 years. I now feel frustrated that I lost many years not studying art or even painting.

I admit I am a perfectionist, and I cringe at most of my past drawings and paintings. I have a particular style, which has frequently been refered to as "tight". I cannot escape this, nor do I wish to. I have tried various styles of painting, but I enjoy rendering the subject, even if I have to get out my 5/0 brush. I know lots of artists frown on this, but this is the way I most enjoy painting. If it takes me three days to paint a single eyeball, then that's OK. My paintings are not loose or spontaneous, even though I enjoy these qualities in other artists' works. The elements I love in any painting are the play of strong lights/darks, composition, combination of warm/cool colors, and the emotional effect the painting has on the observer.

I am very grateful for this Forum, as I feel honored to be in with such great company. I am currently working on a painting and I am anxious to submit it to the Forum when it is complete.

Mike McCarty · 07-09-2002, 10:45 AM

Jenna,

Welcome. I can relate to your tight style confession. Maybe we need a 12-step program. Someone once told me that my style "dies of borning." I thanked them for that and went looking for sleeping pills.

I have benefited much from this august group; its presence has been a gentle push to achieve more and better work.

Cynthia Daniel · 07-10-2002, 08:57 PM

Welcome Jenna! And, thanks for your expression of appreciation for the Forum.

Jenna Jones · 07-10-2002, 11:11 PM

This is a drawing I did last winter. The photo came from a magazine (Yikes, copyrights!), but I really liked the leaves and drapery and did it just for fun. It's not complete yet. I might finish it someday.

Jenna Jones · 07-10-2002, 11:24 PM

Maybe this time it will work.

Karin Wells · 08-13-2002, 11:30 AM

When one is as obviously accomplished as you are, I think that "tight" is an asset.

I am delighted that you have found us and I hope to see more of your work soon!