Jean

Jean Aracely Grimes Personal Statement

The focus of my art work for over the past year and a half has been that of human body. I have been exploring the different ways the body can be expressed, presented, and more so what it has to say.To better understand i began my focus with a study of the anatomy. This allowed me to fully understand the composition of our bodies, and from that capture the grace and beauty of the human figure. My exploration led me through different eras, exposing me to the techniques and styles of the Renaissance to contemporary artists of today like Joanne Beaule Ruggles. She inspired me with her energetic rhythmic and jazzy use of color. Her piece “She Heard the Music” influenced my use of color in my work. This Arbitrary use of color helped me open my mind and think more creatively. I then began to research symbolism using the internet, art books and art magazines to place more meaning into my work. While improving my technical skills with different media such as oils, acrylics, plaster, pastels and shoe polish. I then began to experiment with the different approach of abstraction while adding multiple figures into my pieces. This inspiration came from Willem de Kooning and his violent brushstrokes in his women series. The context of my work is the language of the emotions that my color choices speak. They both combine to illustrating discreet moods and meaning in the work. The process in which the meaning behind my work springs, is through the meaning of the colors I use or the symbols in the work. My largest weakness throughout the two years, was how slowly I worked. I tend to take a lot of time on details, and I had great difficulty in finishing my projects. But my attempts in overcoming this obstacle was to set myself deadlines and stick to my schedule. Although I must admit, I was not able to finish some of pieces. Through this course my study of figures gave me the opportunity to loosen my creativity and has helped me get to know myself a little more. I can now see all the beauty that is layered with in the human figure, muscle and skin deep.

Jean Grimes My Pieces