Artist Statement
I have no singular way of starting a painting. Instead, the image evolves thru subconscious choices based on years of experimentation in mark-making. I generally start with a loose fluid drawing on the canvas, which I build upon with paint. As a child, I would find patterns and shapes in clouds or cracks on the ground, an obsession I have carried into my art-making practice. When I work on a painting, I find patterns in the randomness; some I chose to eliminate while others I decided to enhance. In this process, my paintings come to life. In most of my work, you will notice many organic oblongs and circular shapes in an assortment of intuitively mixed colors. Though the shapes and colors are abstract, I believe they evoke feelings and emotions within the viewer.
Jen in her Studio 2021
Jennifer Bean
www.jenniferkaybean.com / jen@jenbean.com
Education/Experience
2022 Residency, World of Co, Virtual Sofia Bulgaria (forthcoming)
2021 Continuing Studies, New Orleans Fine Art Academy, New Orleans
2012 Continuing Studies, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2010-2017 Traveling Educator, Aquage, Stamford, CT
2003 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2001 Associates of Arts Degree, Joliet Junior College
Select Group Exhibitions
2022 Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder, Salons by JC, Chicago, IL (forthcoming)
2021 12 X 12 PAAM, Provincetown, MA
2021 This is not and Art Show C202 Gallery, Costa Mesa, CA
2020 Small Works PAAM, Provincetown, MA
2019 I see you, The Artist Summit, New York, NY
2019 What kind of Flower are you, The Kimball Art Center, Chicago IL
2018 12 X 12 PAAM, Provincetown, MA
2016 Creatures among us, Oak Park Art League Oak Park IL
2014 On the Inner and Outer Self, Collaboration with Artist Nikita Vishnevskiy, The Church of St. Paul the Apostle New York, NY
2013 Error vs Plains RKW Studios, Curated by Randy Korwin Gallery Pilsen IL
2012 Spring Forward, Oak Park Art League Oak Park IL
2012 Pink, Studio 659 Whiting In
2012 Holiday Hangover, Black Cloud Gallery Chicago IL
2012 Reinvention II, ARC gallery Chicago IL
2011 Idaho Bookers Dozen Traveling Exhibition Idaho Center for the Book
2011 Solstice Stage 773 Chicago IL
2011 Winter Show- Bridge Gallery Chicago IL
2011 Women Artists Urban Art Retreat Chicago IL
2010 4x6 Creative Center for The Arts in Healthcare New York, NY
2005 Barewalls, Alumni Show SAIC Chicago IL
2003 SAIC MFA Show Gallery 2 Chicago IL
Select Collections
Phillip and Leah Sylvester Collection, Chicago, IL & Miami, FL
Sketchbook Project Brooklyn Art Library Brooklyn NY
Robert Morris College Collection, Chicago, IL
Lincoln-Way High School East Campus Collection, Frankfort, IL
Jennifer Cherry, Detroit MI
Rahn-Matsui Private Collection, Portland, OR
Galang Private Collection, Atlanta, GA
Elissa Hobfoll, Chicago, IL
Robert Bodach, Joliet, IL
Awards and Acknowledgements
2014 Stars Competition, Midwest Beauty, Chicago IL
2012 City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)Grant
2001 Merit Scholarship, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2002 Merit Scholarship, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL