When I was in sixth grade elementary school, our teacher, whose name escapes me these many years later, created one of my favorite school projects ever! On the back wall of the classroom she tacked up the whole world. All the continents, oceans, islands - it was all there. Then each week, she would introduce a new explorer. Our job during that week was to trace the route this adventurer took across this paper universe. We used colored string and little push pins to create his route. I loved the names of these courageous individuals and I loved how the whole map looked. I found their journeys and travails all very interesting, but for me, it was how this world in the back of our classroom began to look. All the lines and dots and colors and then how the shapes appeared and the sections took form. The only way a student could work on the project was to finish the work for the day and then we would be allowed to work on the map. You can imagine I worked my ass off each day to finish so I could work on the wall. I didn't always finish in time, but the days that I did were just amazing for me. Little did I know then, that I was painting. That experience can pretty much sum up my process to this day. I love, love mapping as I work. Connecting lines, colors forming sections and shapes. Taking an imaginary journey on canvas or any surface that will allow me to do this thing I love. My last three pieces all emerged as the explorers that I so loved years ago. This series is still coming as well as the Beneath the skin series. Here is a progression of Balboa's Secret Passage.
The first shapes are emerging.
This is before I added any bees wax.
The mapping in full swing and the wax has been added.
oil, bees wax on canvas - 11"X14" - Balboa's Secret Passage
Here is the final painting. Hope you are all enjoying your week. Our heat wave is letting up a bit today. Actually had to grab the comforter off the bedroom floor early this morning and cover up. Hard to believe I was cold.
The first shapes are emerging.
The mapping in full swing and the wax has been added.
oil, bees wax on canvas - 11"X14" - Balboa's Secret Passage
27 comments:
So fun to hear about the inspiration for Magellan and Balboa. I had a few of those outstanding teachers over the years, as well.
How wonderful to be able to connect your process back to school days and a favorite lesson - you must have had an inspiring teacher - I just love the work you are creating! As for your heat wave it would be great if a bit of it was drifting across the pond cos we've had a very cold and wet July!
I saw this over at Flickr and just love it! It's great to hear about the inspiration behind it.
I like how you welcome past events in your life to influence your work. The work itself tells many stories for me as well. It is awesom.
it seems you were an early explorer yourself! Nice work u've done.
Love the story. Haunting work.
Love the story...I could just see the maps and all the shapes, string and pushpins. We are artists early and we need to find those places back then when we were our truest selves. Your new work reflects that true connection...love it and the new pallete.
What inspiration!..makes me wonder what childhood project left a process within me.. that's why it's a blessing to teach children!
Love the story and again such an magical painting that give us, who look at your work, the possibility to explore new worlds. As i study your paintings i always start dreaming and your work amazes me all the time. Beautiful....
Great story Jeane.
My grade 6 teacher would give us each a horse racing guide and say something like "green & diamonds" we would have to scramble reading through the guides to find the words "green & diamonds" the first to do so, won the points! :)
Helped with reading, yes, but I just hope no one grew up into gamblers!!!
These details of your painting are just beautiful Jeane. Jo xx
I love this piece. Your work always amazes me. I wish I could see you paint and see how you create.
Thank you for sharing your work.
good evening Willow - good teachers can make a difference early on, that's for sure :)
Hi Rosie - well the heat wave is subsiding a bit and tomorrow should be a bit cooler - don't envy your rainy July - it's interesting to look back and see what was there early on - sometimes we don't know how to read those early interests until later in life :)
hello Robyn - thanks so much - it's been a bit of a revelation to me also :)
thank you Zappha, you are very generous :)
Hi Kate - never thought of myself as an explorer, but I guess i am in a way - thanks.
thank you Annie - haunting - I like that....
thank you very much Mary Ann - I'm working very hard to just stay true to myself and not stray off the path at the first shiny new object out there :))
oh Lyn, so true, so true :)
Hi Momo Luna - you are so kind - thank you so much ))))))))
LOL Jo! - that is so funny! what a teacher! actually my grandfather was a professional gambler and our family love the horse races and poker - must be in the DNA - thanks xxo
thank you Katelen - I'm pretty random when I'm working until I get the forms, then my brain actually kicks in for a bit! Ha!
I love hearing the story behind the painting especially after making up my own on flickr. Keep on mapping those journeys, we are your explorers right along with you.
i swear it looks just like balboa's secret passage, jeane...
and it's gorgeous!
Hi Jeane,
Nice to hear about the inspiration from your school days. The explorer's names were magical weren't they?
I love the colour in your header!
I do love hearing about what inspires your paintings! I especially like this one.
I cannot believe you have some cold weather. Edward and I are hiding from the humidity here!!
good morning Katherine - isn't that funny that you had the same idea as the inspiration behind the painting? Ha! thanks :)
LOL! Lynne - smiling here :))))))))))))) thanks!
Derrick, yes, I agree - those names attached to their journeys! have never forgotten them and trust me! that has been a few years back!! :)))
good morning Pamela - well we have had a nice cool down here - I was at the theatre last night to see some of my friends perform and I actually had to put a little jacket on after - give Edward a hug for me :)))
i love this story, thank you so much!!!
good morning Stacey and welcome - so glad you liked the story - please come again :)
So cool to know what inspired you ... love watching your work (and you) evolve!
Hi Jeane,
Send your heat wave over to us!!
Love hearing about inspiration and the wax gives a wonderful surface on your painting.x
Great interview feature Jeane. Way to go! Your work is so strong. What a great journey of discovery you are one!
thanks Daryl! :))))))))))))))))))
Hi Kayla Coo! - so nice to see you here! well our heat wave has left, so maybe it is on its way to you! thanks so much for stopping by :)
I am on a great journey Leslie - it's really been teaching me so much and I don't see an end in sight :))
Jeane, would that we all could clean our brushes the way you do!
Oh Jeane, I have been gone so long to miss three of your posts. Your reflection of your amazing class project have inspired me so much. I want to do that for my students. I still don't know where I will be teaching next year, (ahhhh!) but if I can't teach art I can teach about the wonders of the world... Such a beautiful story and beautiful artwork... Roxanne
Love the backstory to this one, as well as the piece itself!
Please send some cold our way!
Carol, Roxanne and Cynjon - thank you all for your very wonderful comments and Cynjon, our heat is back, but I love it! - probably not as hot or humid as where you are :)
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