Pull up a chair and let's get to know a little about Jackie Geis, author/illustrator/painter/ceramicist.
You're allowed to pour yourself a glass of wine if you so choose. Especially while viewing her painting "A Lonely Painter", inspired from Joni Mitchell's song "A Case Of You".
She was born in Wichita, Kansas. Raised in Oklahoma City and studied fine art at Oklahoma State University, 1973-77. Worked as a home builder in OKC for several years after college. A descendant of cheap child labor of a family business since 12, with a dream to make money, then quit, to pursue an art career. Can you remember when interest rates were 16-18%? Jackie then moved to Nashville TN in 1986 after the recession in the late '70's and '80's was prohibitive to be profitable in OKC and to find a better economic climate. She was self-employed for several years as an independent contractor in the logistics business and is currently employed with a clinical laboratory as a service representative the last 12 years. After an editor saw her art work from college in 1991, she was approached to write and illustrate two children's books in 1992 and 1994. These where published in Nashville through Ideals Children's books. The first book titled "Where the Buffalo Roam" was recognized by The Society of Illustrators for best original art and an original piece of artwork from the book was displayed in their gallery in NYC.
Fifteen years later while living in Nashville, Jackie discovered the Clay Lady Studio. Pottery was a passion that never dissipated from college. She had saved her tools knowing deep in her heart she would do it again one day. In two years, she was accepted, by jury, to participate in the 38th annual TN Craft festival, the largest festival in TN, as an emerging artist for her pottery. And again at the 40th annual festival in October of 2018. In between the pottery classes from the summer to fall, there was a three week break. Wandering into a craft store, she bought acrylic paint, canvases, and a palette knife that were on sale. Jackie then proceeded to paint and illustrate 20 songs of her favorite musician and artistic mentor Joni Mitchell in abstract form in three weeks. Of course while listening to Joni's music. By the way, as a result of becoming "low on funds" from the recession in Oklahoma, she sold her 3 guitars to move and survive. Who does that moving to Music City USA? Learning Joni's open tunings in college on the guitar was a true delight, even though she admits she is not a singer. Just the challenge of learning the tunings was an accomplishment.
This display of art is proof that artistic talent is a gift that you will always have as long as you continue to develop it. Jackie calls it her "open tunings" of talent. It's her release and tribute to the many songs of Joni Mitchell that helped her survive and feel a sense of comfort for the numerous trials and tribulations through life that gave direction and meaning to eventually finding her artistic "voice" through clay, paint, and canvas. There are a lot of great painters in the world, but when you connect to the story of Jackie's paintings, it makes all the difference by knowing the interpretations come from her personal experiences. That's what ART is all about.
These paintings are best viewed while listening to the song each one was inspired from. The palette stroke surprises reveal the lyrics. Once you see the connections, you can't un-see it. That's the enjoyment of the paintings. You'll understand more by viewing while listening. Then, you will more than likely, feel a connection through her paintings to Joni Mitchell's music. Even if you're unfamiliar with the songs. Many more songs and artists music to paint...
"Every picture has it's shadows and it has some source of light" -Joni Mitchell
You're allowed to pour yourself a glass of wine if you so choose. Especially while viewing her painting "A Lonely Painter", inspired from Joni Mitchell's song "A Case Of You".
She was born in Wichita, Kansas. Raised in Oklahoma City and studied fine art at Oklahoma State University, 1973-77. Worked as a home builder in OKC for several years after college. A descendant of cheap child labor of a family business since 12, with a dream to make money, then quit, to pursue an art career. Can you remember when interest rates were 16-18%? Jackie then moved to Nashville TN in 1986 after the recession in the late '70's and '80's was prohibitive to be profitable in OKC and to find a better economic climate. She was self-employed for several years as an independent contractor in the logistics business and is currently employed with a clinical laboratory as a service representative the last 12 years. After an editor saw her art work from college in 1991, she was approached to write and illustrate two children's books in 1992 and 1994. These where published in Nashville through Ideals Children's books. The first book titled "Where the Buffalo Roam" was recognized by The Society of Illustrators for best original art and an original piece of artwork from the book was displayed in their gallery in NYC.
Fifteen years later while living in Nashville, Jackie discovered the Clay Lady Studio. Pottery was a passion that never dissipated from college. She had saved her tools knowing deep in her heart she would do it again one day. In two years, she was accepted, by jury, to participate in the 38th annual TN Craft festival, the largest festival in TN, as an emerging artist for her pottery. And again at the 40th annual festival in October of 2018. In between the pottery classes from the summer to fall, there was a three week break. Wandering into a craft store, she bought acrylic paint, canvases, and a palette knife that were on sale. Jackie then proceeded to paint and illustrate 20 songs of her favorite musician and artistic mentor Joni Mitchell in abstract form in three weeks. Of course while listening to Joni's music. By the way, as a result of becoming "low on funds" from the recession in Oklahoma, she sold her 3 guitars to move and survive. Who does that moving to Music City USA? Learning Joni's open tunings in college on the guitar was a true delight, even though she admits she is not a singer. Just the challenge of learning the tunings was an accomplishment.
This display of art is proof that artistic talent is a gift that you will always have as long as you continue to develop it. Jackie calls it her "open tunings" of talent. It's her release and tribute to the many songs of Joni Mitchell that helped her survive and feel a sense of comfort for the numerous trials and tribulations through life that gave direction and meaning to eventually finding her artistic "voice" through clay, paint, and canvas. There are a lot of great painters in the world, but when you connect to the story of Jackie's paintings, it makes all the difference by knowing the interpretations come from her personal experiences. That's what ART is all about.
These paintings are best viewed while listening to the song each one was inspired from. The palette stroke surprises reveal the lyrics. Once you see the connections, you can't un-see it. That's the enjoyment of the paintings. You'll understand more by viewing while listening. Then, you will more than likely, feel a connection through her paintings to Joni Mitchell's music. Even if you're unfamiliar with the songs. Many more songs and artists music to paint...
"Every picture has it's shadows and it has some source of light" -Joni Mitchell