contemporary collage paintings
the process
Leslie Avon Miller

My life flows when I'm in my art.


Jean De Muzio

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Dieties and Divas by Janet Jones



College study by Leslie Avon Miller


There must be as many ways to depict the human figure as there are humans. I am always drawn to abstracted figurative work. I find edgy work most intriguing. Janet Jones has done a figurative series of very unique Deities and Divas. Janet explains her series below.



Titania by Janet Jones


Several years ago an American friend living in Japan sent me a Japanese paper doll in the style known as ningyo, and this may have been in the back of my mind when I began this series. I'm sure I was also influenced by local museum collections of Oceanic and African sculpture, ethnic textiles and historic costumes, as well as natural history museum exhibits.



Cassandra
by Janet Jones


I sculpted faces and hands in white clay, and folded papers I'd mono-printed or collected, then added small objects, bones and insect specimens. I've presented them in black shadow boxes that look like specimen cases.



Leda
by Janet Jones


While Janet and I were discussing her series, she filled me in with more interesting facts about the birth of the Deities and Divas.




Nemesis
by Janet Jones


Here is the back story on the Deities and Divas; I'd wanted, as I say on my website, to make some little costumed figures mounted in shadow boxes, after a Japanese tradition, but when I had done a few they looked like paper dolls, and I decided the ladies needed a little edge. I'd heard of a shop in Berkley, across the bay, called the Bone Room. After a fascinating visit I returned home with little baggies of tiny bones, one labeled by the staff "most of a rat." On the way home I stopped for coffee, and the young woman in the shop asked "How's your day going?" I said fine, and her next question was "What have you done so far today?"

I ask you, how often does this happen in real life?




Oracle
by Janet Jones



Janet has just started blogging. Her blog is called Foot Notes Odds and Adenda to the web site of Janet Jones. While Janet is not taking comments at her blog, you can easily contact her via her website. Janet's website is a showcase of innovative art which is unique and captivating. Thanks Janet, for taking part in this series on figurative art. And welcome to the blogging community!




Portia
by Janet Jones


In my last post on figurative art many of us commented that we would like to turn the pages of Noela Mills' Fabric Book of Life Drawings. Kindly, Noela has taken images of each page and posted a link on her blog, Wabisabiart.




Turandot
by Janet Jones


The first image on this post is a study I did for my series called Brown Paper Bags and Rust. You will be able to see the series at Dale Copeland's site beginning August 1st.

The studio update is very exciting- the projected move in date is this Saturday! The floors are painted, and the floor trim is ready to go in. I understand strong men will be here this weekend to move the heavy items like my framing tables and desk into the space. The lightening is full spectrum florescent which still needs to be hung. While the window trim won't be installed yet, I don't think that will take long and I am feeling great anticipation. I am staying calm until it actually happens, but i. c.a.n.t. w.a.i.t!

Thanks for visiting! I hope you enjoy Janet and Noela's work as much as I do.

22 comments:

  1. Little bones...my kitties bring me little bone units frequently...but they aren't ready to use in art and I don't see myself addressing that issue. I like the way Janet has incorporated bones in her work. Other worldly.

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  2. Thanks for bringing Janet's work to my attention. I think it's very exciting; bones and paper dolls are both high on my list of favorite things! I'm always fascinated to see some of the amazingly endless ways that the figure can be portrayed in art.

    Also exciting is your new studio- I totally understand why you can't wait!

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  3. Leslie, Janet Jones has been a favorite of mine since even before I thought I could paint, and now you and she have combined to make a perfect blog post. And I so envy your new space to make art. We will all expect great art from you and your great art space. Love your, Mary

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  4. These are fascinating. Thank you for the introduction to this fine artist.
    Your studio space looks heavenly. I can only dream of one day painting in such a space.

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  5. Yay! I'm so happy for you & your ready studio!
    Very much enoyed your post. The figure as art material has always both intrigued and frightened me. Lately I have been getting back to it, but it seems I am going in circles and repeating lots of learned lessons. (Hard to move on.)Like the edgy work of Janet Jones and your new piece is fabulous.

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  6. Janet Jones' work is very interesting. She combines two of my strong interests, animal bones and Japanese art. I really like the way she combines these into really strong female figures. Thanks for sharing her work here. The studio looks great. So exciting!

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  7. I just got back from Janet Jones website...spent a wonderful time looking and looking...thank you.
    You have been art making even during these last days of construction and this piece is stunning!
    Looked at your photos of studio...it must smell so good...you are very close now Leslie!

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  8. Are those the rusted egg shells in your collage? very creative! and reading about Janet's thoughtful approach to her wonderful works has been very inspiring. And your studio is looking fabulous and very large- lucky YOU!

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  9. Hi Leslie,
    Thanks for posting Janet Jones' work. It is very unusual and the addition of the bones really gives it an edge that brings it out of the doll category.

    I'm so excited for you in seeing how far along your studio has come. It is a fabulous space - all that airiness and light above is wonderful. I know you will just have a great time there. Congratulations in advance!
    Best,
    Nancy

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  10. Hi Leslie,
    Thanks for posting Janet Jones' work. It is very unusual and the addition of the bones really gives it an edge that brings it out of the doll category.

    I'm so excited for you in seeing how far along your studio has come. It is a fabulous space - all that airiness and light above is wonderful. I know you will just have a great time there. Congratulations in advance!
    Best,
    Nancy

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  11. each of the artists you mention here are on my favourite reading list ... i love your collage - am off to explore the others on Dale's site. lovely post - thank you >> GIna

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  12. My heart skipped a beat then, thinking of your joy when you move into your sparkling new studio. You have been patient!
    I've been following links and am finally back to comment on your post which i thoroughly enjoyed. What a treat to see Noela's fabric book from cover to cover. I've been following Janet's art for some time now but always gravitated toward the abstract collages so it has been interesting to read about the Deities and Divas series..... and what great news about her new blog.

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  13. The bones are intriguing and add so much to her work. Edgy, yes, and also regal, believable.

    Your new collage looks like gold and sun. Those colors are wonderful.

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  14. Janet's work is amazing. I have little wallaby bones and can't seem to find the right use for them, so I'm sure I will now be inspired!
    Your studio is fabulous. Can't wait to see it all messy xoxox

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  15. Thank you so much for posting Janet's work. I will go to her website. They are wonderful!

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  16. These figures are great, Leslie, such distinct personalities!

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  17. Love the collage,,,interesting figures.......wonderful blog!
    Cynthia Schelzig

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  18. congratulations on getting back into your work space very soon - it looks rather posh and I look forward to your first rush of creative energy expended in your space :)

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  19. mm!
    Bones.
    I do have a collection. and presented here, they are not creepy at all.

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  20. Congratulations on a new working space! It looks very inviting for art-making.
    Very much like your piece here, and thanks also for showing us this interesting work of Janet Jones.
    "What have you done so far today?" --> Oh, just shopped for a few bones. !

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  21. There is a citation for you on my last blog post...

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