~ ~ ~ new year and new things ~ ~ ~

While we transition into this new year, many of us pause to reflect and assess everything over the past 12 months. Setting our sights ahead we are full of hopes and goals, anticipating what is to come during this next rotation around the sun.

Last year I was invited by my friend Megan Morgan to participate in a two-person exhibition at the Valkarie Gallery in Belmar, Lakewood. While my head has been swimming with ideas and possibilities, the reality of time and energy is quickly sinking in... with less than four weeks until install, IT'S GO TIME!

Valkarie Gallery
445 S Saulsbury St, Lakewood, CO 80226
Opening Reception Friday February 10, 5-8:30 pm
Closing Reception Friday March 3, 5-8:30 pm
Exhibition runs February 8 through March 5
I will be sitting the gallery on Sundays from 12-5, please come by!

My personal artwork revolves around the figure, analyzing and expressing different emotions and feelings. Working with 2 foot by 4 foot woodblock prints on layers of sheer fabric, I am creating a small series for the upcoming exhibition. My goal is to create evocative works of art that captivate the viewer, and express a sentiment they can relate to personally.

Just trying to get back in the swing of things!

"When we are grateful fear disappears, and abundance appears" Tony Robbins


THIS is the time of your life!!
so what are you waiting for...?

Are you ever so consumed with how much you have to do, that you're almost paralyzed and don't even know where to begin?
I have that right now....
Thinking and planning and scheduling so many things at once, but it's all good things!
And I LOVE what I do!!
That's why it doesn't really feel like 'work', kinda.

Here's the short list for January, for the full version go to my events and workshops page. https://www.jengstudios.com/

TrueWest, invitational exhibition
Dairy Block, Downtown Denver
January 9 - 25

Abstract 2020
Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Dr.
January 3 - February 15

Imprint Print Educators Exhibition in conjunction with Month of Printmaking
Arvada Center for the Arts
January 16 - March 29

wishing you a happy and healthy new year :)

As we enter January and the rituals of a new year, I do believe in setting intentions and goals, and have seen and felt the direct result of this in my own life and career. Recently I began doing this on my birthday, rather than in January. Just seems a bit more personalized and meaningful.

2018 was literally my best year ever!
Many elements fell into this, and my biggest accomplishment was a permanent site-specific installation in downtown Denver through Facebook's Artist-in-Residency program. Mostly this year I felt the universal support, appreciation and genuine love from so many people. I look into 2019 with the same optimism, hope, and delight. While I don't have the whole year mapped out, I do know that exciting opportunities and experiences are on the horizon.
Some planned, hopefully some unexpected.

I continue to enjoy the balance of teaching, making, showing and selling, crossing paths with familiar faces, and meeting new people through it all.
If you're looking to give your creativity a little boost or kick-start, why not treat yourself to a workshop! Check out upcoming events and workshops for activities and ways to engage through art.

www.jengstudios.com/events-and-workshop…

"Discipline is the bridge between your goals and your success" unknown

Cheers to the departure of a rewarding yet challenging 2017... and now, I am excited to discover all that 2018 has in store!! January through March promises a plethora of art exhibitions, I am also currently applying for spring and summer art fairs, programming fun workshops, and there are sure to be a few surprises sprinkled about too!

Children's Museum Residency

Starting January 19, I will be enjoying an artist residency at the Children's Museum of Denver, Marsico Campus, (by the Aquarium). This place is designed just for kids to explore interactive super fun exhibits that allow children learn and discover on their own terms. I will be in the artist studio, navigating drop-in activities and working on a very special permanent installation piece, to commemorate the joy and wonder of my experiences during the residency. Come see me on most Fridays and Saturdays January 19 through March 31, with a closing reception on Wednesday April 4 from 6-7 pm.

Upcoming exhibitions

Fieldworks: Creative Research by DU Faculty, Vicki Myhren Gallery, Shwayder Art Building, DU campus, January 11 - February 18, opening reception Thursday January 11, 5-8 pm

Pink Progression group exhibition, curated by Anna Kaye
Boulder Public Library, 10th/Arapahoe, February 16 - March 24, opening reception Friday March 2, 6-8 pm
Denver Public Library, 13th/Broadway, March 2 - June 29, opening reception Saturday March 10, 1:30-4:30 pm

RedLine 10X Anniversary Exhibition, February 2 - April 1, opening reception Friday February 2, 6-9 pm

Mo'Print Colorado Educators Exhibition, McNichols Building, Civic Center Park, January 13 - April 8, opening reception, Friday February 23, 6-9 pm

Also, I am a member of the Niza Knoll Gallery Mix Co-op, 915 Santa Fe Dr, open Wed-Friday* 1-5 pm, Saturdays 1-4, *First and Third Friday 5-8 pm, or by appointment. We will have our annual group exhibition in April - stay tuned for details.

~~~ and so, anew ~~~
Taking some very necessary time to relax, recover and regroup, I’ve been reflecting on 2016 with deep gratitude and appreciation, while foreseeing 2017 prospects to be enriching and rewarding.

I strive to work better, vs. harder; I wish to be stronger, not for things to be easier; I strive to utilize, rather than consume; simplify and prioritize.

Upcoming exhibitions

THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, January 20, 6-9 pm
RedLine's Annual Resident Artist Exhibition opens, titled
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Curated by Daisy McGowan, Director & Curator of the
Colorado Springs Gallery of Contemporary Art
RedLine 2350 Arapahoe St, Denver.
www.redlineart.org/

New things will emerge this Spring, as I will be an artist-in-residence at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, in Englewood. My focus will shift into my personal artwork again, developing a series that explores longing and desire through photographs digitally printed onto fabric layers.
moaonline.org/

In addition, I am a new member of the Niza Knoll Gallery Mix Co-op, 915 Santa Fe Dr, open Wed-Friday* 1-5 pm, Saturdays 1-4, *First and Third Friday 4-8 pm, or by appointment. We will have a group exhibition in April - stay tuned for details.
www.nizaknollgallery.com/the-mix-co-op.…

Upcoming workshops

What better time to learn some new art making skills than right now?! Check out the ‘workshops & events’ page on my blog for a complete listing and registration links, as well as Jen G Studios workshops that will happen in my studio space at the Temple building. Space is very limited, register today.
jengstudios.wordpress.com/upcoming-even…
www.jengstudios.com/workshops-1/

Falling into Autumn
With the changing of seasons, life follows suit...

I have now completed my 2-year residency at RedLine Contemporary Art Center. I am forever and eternally grateful to all of those who inspired, encouraged and supported me through many fulfilling and rewarding experiences there.

And now, I must set my sails and chart a new course for what is next...
I have a temporary studio space at the Temple, a contemporary artist haven the in the booming Rhino Arts District. www.thetempledenver.org/

Reinventing the Image, Group exhibition
Museum of Outdoor Arts, Englewood, CO
Opening reception, Saturday October 15 6-9 pm

January - May 2017 I will be an artist in residence at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, In Englewood, CO moaonline.org/

01.01.2016
“The main reason for setting goals is not in reaching your destination, but rather what it makes of you to achieve them. Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.” Jim Rohn

This is the time of year people tend to focus on setting new goals, wanting to make positive changes to create a better life, and a renewed sense of purpose.

As I close out 2015 and reflect on all of my activities and accomplishments, failures and success, struggles and rewards, I am struck by how fortunate I am to be living an extremely rewarding life! It’s easy to get lost and caught up the in the moment of whatever is going on, so I think it’s good to take a step back for the overview, as it gives me a different perspective and I am flooded with appreciation for so many things. Family, friends, supportive community, my health, just to name a few…

Looking on towards 2016, I am full of excitement and anticipation, as I have already set my plans and goals reaching in an upward momentum. I felt a burst of excitement just writing things down, I can’t wait to see how these ideas and intentions transition into achievements and reality.

Working seasonally, I am fortunate to be able to focus on my personal work over the next few months, I have several exhibitions coming up, as well as the Month of Printmaking in March/April 2016. Check the events page link below for the complete list, and I hope to see you soon!!! :)

jengstudios.wordpress.com/upcoming-even…

Jan 16 - Feb 28: Blush Site-specific Installation in group show "Just Playing", Annual Resident Artist Exhibition, RedLine, Denver, CO.
Artist”s talk, Thursday Feb 19, 6-7:30 pm.

Jan 23 – Feb 21: Echoes, Two person exhibition with J. Diane Martonis, Firehouse Art Center, Longmont, CO.
Artist’s reception, Friday Feb 13, 5-8 pm.

Feb 5 – May 1: Fresh Site-specific Installation, Durango Art Center, Durango, CO

March 7 – 28: Flow Site-specific Installation, Prescott Gallery, Lincoln, NE

March 25 – May 1: Transitions Site-specific Installation. Two Hands Paperie, Boulder, CO

May 8 – 30: Flow, Site-specific Installation, Jackson Art Center, Wyoming

Highlights

February Fridays: Mixed-Media Printmaking, 1-4, Art Students League of Denver, 200 Grant St, Denver, CO

March 15: Press Free Prints (aka trace monotype), 1-5 pm, Two Hand Paperie, Boulder, CO

March 28-29: ImagOn – From photo to hand-pulled print, Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC), Denver, CO

June:16-18: Mixed Media Monoprints, Peninsula School of Art, Deer County, WI

July 5-17: Mix your Matrix, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC

Full Schedule
jengstudios.wordpress.com/upcoming-even…

Center for Visual Art
965 Santa Fe Dr
Denver, CO
msudenver.edu/cva/

June 20 - August 2, 2014

Two-Person Exhibition

Foothills Art Center
809 15th St
Golden, CO
foothillsartcenter.org

May 27 - August 22, 2014

January 2014

Solo show and new work at TLU in Seguin, TX. Jan 9 - Feb 28, 2014
http://www.tlu.edu/exhibits

Mix Your Matrix: Screenprint and Woodcut
June 17 - 21
Anderson Ranch Art Center
Snowmass Village, CO
www.andersonranch.org


July 21 - 26
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
Gatlinburg, TN
www.arrowmont.org


Venetian Retreat
Sept 9 - Oct 11
Venice Printmaking Studio
Murano, Venice, Italy
www.veniceprintmaking.it

In mid-July I traveled to Venice, Italy for a three-week artist's residency at the the Venice Printmaking Studio, located on the island of Murano. My goal for this residency project was to create a body of work that will visually reflect and respond to my experiences as I explore this famous region. The title of this project, Ancient and Beautiful will focus on reflections of decorative elements found amongst the historic architecture. My intention was to create large-scale mixed process prints, combining woodcut, screenprint, and acrylic wash effects. Then exhibit the prints at the conclusion of my residency period in their facilities, as well as other venues to be determined upon my return home in mid-August.

I also created a successful Kickstarter page to raise the funds necessary for this residency opportunity. Travel expenses, residency fees, and the cost of art materials are sure to be well beyond my Kickstarter fundraising goal. However, every little bit helps. In return for a contribution, donors received prints that reflected my time in Venice This was a piece of my experience that I enjoyed sharing with so many supporters.

click here to find out more

I am currently developing on this body of work further, as I found myself focusing more on embracing the experience of simply being in Venice, rather than staying indoors hunched over the press, focused on producing finished prints.