Jax

Artist Statement

As an artist, my ultimate goal is to stimulate the viewer's imagination . I try to create pieces that draw the viewer in and encourage genuine emotional engagement. I have lived in a number of states - New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, California, and Florida , while also having spent a great deal of time in Europe and abroad. As such, subtle influences from these experiences can be found in much of my work. While I am drawn to certain things in subject matter and style in my paintings, I enjoy exploring a variety of subjects and am always open to trying something new, My background is in oil and watercolor, but I currently work in acrylic. Although I have received formal training in art, I find that I rarely use what I learned in art school to paint. In practice , I tend to adopt a more informal, " go with the flow " approach . While some artists may paint with intention, I much prefer to paint with intuition; I try to begin with a blank slate and allow the paintbrush to guide along the way. In doing so , I am able to create art that is uniquely authentic and expressive.

Biography

I currently reside in Punta Gorda, FL, though I am originally from the Netherlands. My family immigrated to the United States when I was a young girl. I have always been fascinated by art; as a child, toys failed to hold my attention and I much preferred to draw instead. I attended both the College of Artesia in NM and the College of Racine in WI, from which I graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts. My artistic nature has played a significant role in my life in not only a professional context, but a personal one as well. I have spent much of my life running a successful interior design business that has provided me with an outlet for creative expression. Several years ago, after a 40 year sabbatical, I started painting again. What started out as a hobby has now become an integral part of my daily life. I am in awe of all the places my passion for painting has taken me, and I can't wait to see where my creative endeavors might take me next.

Exhibition History (CV)