Featured Artist Jeanne Rhea

Artist Jeanne Rhea uses a variety of inks to create ripple effects, forming vibrant patterns and designs reminiscent of the patterns in nature. Enjoy more of her work by visiting her website.

 

 

Growing up in a large family, I was fascinated by the bonds and connections of family and friends, and the way one seemingly unimportant action by one sibling affected other family members. Often this ripple effect changed the lives of our family and friends for years to come.

 

 

My method of painting involves a ripple effect in which the results are rarely ever predictable. Often the use of one ink can permanently alter the surrounding inks. The outcome becomes an abstract representation of the symbiotic human relationships that intrigued me so much when I was growing up.

 

 

I paint wet on wet using the chemical and physical properties of the alcohol, acrylic, or oil inks to create a wide variety of patterns. The humidity, temperature, chemical composition and viscosity of the inks, porosity of the substrate, along with other factors, determine the patterns that emerge.

 

 

It is a continual process of evaluating the expansions of the first drops of ink and attempting to predict the sizes and shapes of the elements, their patterns, and how far they will spread at their maturity.

 

 

The effect of each ink drop on prior or subsequent inks influences or alters the painting. Every second counts, and in a moment, I may have to change the composition.

 

 

Although I may have more control over the initial drops, as I continue to paint, one ink will crowd another ink and change its shape or the interaction of the inks may react to form an unexpected color or pattern.

 

 

An ink with particular properties will affect another ink dropped into it just as a family member’s action affects the family dynamic or personalities of other family members.

 

 

I strive for each drop or circle to develop its unique pattern without interfering with others just as each family member is unique, but still forms a part of the whole. I often paint in layers with a sealer of resin between each layer so the initial pattern is not altered even if partially hidden.

 

 

By nature, I tend to be a perfectionist, but love a challenge. I prefer order and like to understand how things work. Working with inks in the manner I have chosen is challenging due to the unpredictable process, but it is rewarding to discover new possibilities and designs.

 

 

As an artist, I often find myself exploring the tension between my instinct for control in my everyday routines and the surprise of never knowing exactly what the addition of the next ink will create in the painting. My painting process is always an adventure and has captured my imagination for years.

 

Artist Jeanne Rhea invites you to follow her on her Blog, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

 

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