Raised in Southern Africa, (Zimbabwe), and then transplanted to the United States as a teenager; I have learned to straddle dynamically different worlds and cultures. My art reflects the empirical worlds of traditional or realistic figurative paintings and portraiture, and abstract art as well. I reside in Southern California and am a member of the Portrait Society of America and Southern California Artists Association.
After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, I continued painting at the Art Students League in New York City, studying the Frank Reilly method of painting with Jack Faragasso. I paint both realistically as well as abstractly in oil paint as well as in acrylic paint. Although both styles are diametrically opposite, I approach both with the same high standards of quality and substance.
My commissioned portraits, still-lifes and abstract paintings hang in the homes and offices of patrons throughout the United States. My work has been shown in various galleries in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. Concurrently, I teach art and animation at Segerstrom High School in Santa Ana, CA.
E-mail: gordo5@cox.net
Website: www.rogergordonart.com
JEAN FITCH JONES is a pure abstract expressionistic artist expressing reflections using both Eastern sensitivity, the use of calligraphy brush strokes and Western movement of unmediated expression and boldness.
Exemplifying abstract expression's spontaneity, the works are an exploration of self on canvas liberated from any evident reference to the world of appearances, creating form for its own sake, subject to the laws of art rather than those of nature. Such aesthetic frontiers, incorporating entirely non-representational imagery, invites therapeutic, meditative qualities of allowing the viewer to discover their own images within the canvas.
Employing gestural brushwork, powerful bold forms and improvisational exploration, the works portray a total risk to the artist as well as the viewer. A risk to look into oneself to discover peace or turmoil. Introduction to the Artist JEAN FITCH JONES is a current day abstract expressionistic artist living in Southern California.
This artist is successful and unique because of her ability marry the power of Western abstract expressionism to the reflective and sensuality of Japanese calligraphy. The art works are bold and daring canvases which push the aesthetic frontiers creating a spontaneous world of accidential splashes, brush strokes left undisguised and unworked on the canvas. The magic of color, form and texture are freed from associations which allows the viewer to explore the direction of a powerful sensual brush stroke or accidental blend of color.
This artist uniquely combines the art of the cerebral and intellect with private and intimate emotions. This art is a successful and refreshing example of unadulterated energy visualized. The marriage of these two vastly different approaches to the world yield an art that seems to create its own world.
JEAN FITCH JONES has travelled and studied art internationally. Extensive art tours in France, Italy, Spain, Greece as well as Southeast Asia, Bali, Thailand and Malaysia. Instructors have included Tony Delap, Craig Kaughman, Ed Bereal, John Paul Jones and RT Pece. Art influences include Elaine De Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, John Altoon, Richard Diebenkorn and Toko Shinoda.
EDUCATION:
B.A. - University of California, Irvine, California - Studio Art and Biology A.A. - Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California - Art and Biology Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri - Art and Photography
EXHIBITIONS:
2000 Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, California Southern California Artists' Gallery, Pomona, California Aliso Viejo Library, Aliso Viejo, California Guggenheim Center at Chapman College, Orange, California Santora Artist Village, Santa Ana, California
1999 La Jolla Hilton, La Jolla, California Guggenheim Center at Chapman College, Orange, California Rancho Viejo Library, Rancho Viejo, California
1998 Art Tour, Paris, France Jewish Community Center, Costa Mesa, California Huntington Art Center, Huntington Beach, California Jack London Auditorium, Oakland, California
1997 Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois Guggenheim Center at Chapman College, Orange, California Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, California Deming Cultural Center, Deming, New Mexio
1996 Musee Adzak, Paris, France Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, Illinois Huntington Art Center, Huntington Beach, California Advertising Art Building, Santa Ana, California
1995 Santora Artists Village, Santa Ana, California Irvine Fine Arts, Irvine, California Ronald Reagan Federal Court House Project, Santa Ana, California Advertising Art Building, Santa Ana, California
AUCTIONS:
"La Fiesta 1995", Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, Santa Ana, California Orange County Center for Contemporary Art "Silent Auction," Santa Ana, California Orange County People for Animals "Holiday Auction," Newport Beach, California
PRESS MENTIONS:
Orange County Register, June 3, 1995 - "From Eyesore to Canvas" Orange County Register, July 16, 1995 - "Art Lovers by the Hundreds Visit New Studios" Orange County Weekly, October 24, 1996 - Art Walk" JCC Center Voice, February, 1998 - "Expressionist Jean Fitch Jones to Show at the JCC"
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS:
Abramsohn Collection, Dana Point, California - "Odorokasu Hato" Orange County People for Animals, Irvine, California - "Yurushi" Diversified Newport Appraisal, Newport Beach, California - "Buffalo Dance" Carpenter & Company, Irvine, California - "Dancer of the Sky"
Celene moved to Orange County five years ago from her hometown of San Diego and instantly fell in love with the serene waters that surrounded the beautiful landscapes of Laguna Beach. As a Latina, she particularly enjoyed exploring the diverse Artist Community, which inspired in her a sense of creativity, uniqueness and peacefulness.
At the time, she had no formal training in the arts, so Celene let her imagination lead her brush.
During the beginning of 2008, Celene began to paint until late hours, creating an array of paintings that reflected her imagination. She further developed her methods at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, studying abstract horizons, textures, forms and compositions. This helped her to evolve as an artist, and allowed her to apply her ideas onto canvas. Soon after, she presented her work to the public for the first time at the Santiago Art District in November of 2009 and numerous times from 2010 - 2011. She was a Guest Artist at the Cove Gallery in Laguna Beach in May 2010. She also has been commissioned to create custom paintings for corporate and residential settings in San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties. Her artwork can be seen in the 2011 award-winning short film, “Hard to Come By.” Celene was a Guest Artist at the Sanctuary Creative Arts gallery in San Juan Capistrano during the summer months of 2012. In August of 2012, she donated a very special custom piece by the name of “Proud to Be Pink” to the Susan G. Komen foundation for the San Diego branch office. Her artwork was alsoexhibited at the Wells Fargo building in Laguna Beach from September 13th to November 13th 2012, an exhibition formed by the California Art Project. She was also part of the 2012 Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, November to December 2012.
Celene has always had a passion for the Arts, including music, poetry, and above all, how the Arts allow us all to express ourselves in endless ways.
"Art in its purest form should captivate the soul and guide your inner palette" — Celene
E-mail: celenececena@yahoo.com
Website: www.webboflove.com
