JEAN KIEGERL

Painting, Acrylic, Oil, Watercolour, Ink, Works on Paper, Sculpture, Collage, Found Objects

City: Merritt, British Columbia

Artist Statement: PAINTING FOR THE LOVE OF IT

I was hooked the first time I sketched my hand in an adult art class. So simple, but opened a whole new world - edges had such beautiful shapes! Then shading - seeing the full range of light and dark on everything. Adding paint - there are actually thousands of colours! Well, who would have guessed just seeing could be so complex?

I paint because I want to explore what I see - to express my vision and give the image that meaning. As I add skills and new media, the possibilities increase. Which medium would work? What colours are needed? What style and techniques match my intent? What to emphasize and what is the background to support the intent? Beyond the physical appearance of the topic, now it is the concept or philosophy that I want the painting to show. “Concept” is becoming more interesting to me than subject matter. Is it an attitude, an opinion, a concern, a joke, a viewpoint? That focus then reflects back into my sketches, watercolours and acrylics, and back into the seeing. A sunset is never ‘just another sunset’ any more, even if the painting is realistic.

Biography: I am a local artist in Merritt, BC and have been active here for years in many community projects involving art and literacy. My first art love was sketching and watercolour, but I experimented with acrylic and collage also. I continue with those media, but now find my joy and creativity in oil painting. I have explored various aspects of the art experience. I experimented with art as a business by creating “Palette and Ink Arts Company” and was a member of Creative Company, a co-operative store in Merritt, for three years. I enjoyed marketing my watercolours, prints and cards. I was briefly an “Active Artist” member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. However, I found that a home-based business meant full time promotion and accounting, with little time left for painting. Finally, I heeded my brother’s warning – “Don’t turn your play into work!” and returned to ‘just painting.’ Now I have relaxed into painting from my many photos and show my work locally. Commissions and requests let me explore a wider range of subjects. I spend my volunteer time with the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council (now as Past President) to create ever more opportunities to share knowledge and promote the arts. I volunteer with their Gallery and teach art classes to encourage new artists and expand art opportunities here. Art has enriched my life in so many ways.

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