Title: Abstract Orange #1 Artist: Jessica Bladen Medium: Acrylic on Canvas Size: Height x Width: 20" x 16" Click on IMAGE for larger viewArtist Statement: I am a self-taught artist. I have always loved the arts: reading, playing the piano, writing poetry, and dancing! I began painting in 1997 as a new way express my creative side. My college roommate decided we should paint a Little Mermaid mural on our living room wall, and that was my jumpstart into painting. In those 2 weeks I quickly learned that not only did I have some natural ability, but I loved to paint!! It was a great way for me to express my emotions, and release pent up energy, and I must say one of my best memories in college. I soon found inspiration in everyday life, and began to paint in my spare time. Life, color, and love inspired me, so I taught myself to paint over the years by just experimenting and having fun. After receiving my business degree, I worked in the corporate world as an office manager and probation officer. Although bossing people around also seems to come naturally to me, painting is where my heart is. I was once asked, “What inspires you?” My answer: acts of kindness, good music, my family, and my husband. I think this answer sums up my art. My Grandmother taught all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to embrace life, be thankful for the gifts God has given us, and to always put family first! This mantra has encouraged me to be the person that I am, and has inspired many of my pieces. The world is a beautiful, colorful place, and I love trying to capture that in my art. I really enjoy playing with colors, and seeing what I can create with just the primary colors. Most of my paintings are done this way. I never really know how a piece will end up because it starts as an idea in my head and seems to take on its own life on the canvas. I think that colors and patterns can reflect much of the beauty in this world, and that is what I try to demonstrate through my art. I look forward to all the great things still to come in life, and all the ideas that will surely lead to lots of paint on lots of canvas! Biography: I was born and raised in Opelika, AL, and graduated from Lee-Scott Academy in 1997. I was raised on Auburn football, and was blessed to meet my husband, Wes, at Auburn University in 2002. After receiving my degree in Business Management, I worked for a software company in Opelika. Wes and I were married in May of 2005, and moved to Duluth, GA, where we have been pursuing our corporate careers full time, and I have been painting in my spare time. |