15 BYTES Publication and Exhibition
Get there while there is still time! It is worth a visit to see the exhibition of Tree Stories: A Breath of Fresh Air, Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City, Mar. 10 – Apr. 27. See work by Utah artists one of these coming spring days. Don’t delay!
Enjoy a read of the review below including a nod to my work “Where The See Used To Be” along with other nice mentions of participating artists’ work.
UCCC’s Tree Exhibit Has Deep Roots and Fruitful Branches By Geoff Wichert
“Where The Sea Used To Be”, 16” x 16” Acrylic on multi-layers of acrylic glass
Wishing you all a Happy Spring!
Janell
Mayor Erin Mendenhall's 1,000 Trees Initiative
As a part of showing our support to Salt Lake City’s Mayor Erin Mendenhall, for her 1,000 Trees Per Year Initiative, I was honored to present “Pave Paradise”, Mixed Media, Etching and Painting.
A little more than two years ago marks the Inauguration Ceremony for Salt Lake City’s Mayor Erin Mendenall where she professed her vision for not only a “better” city but a “thriving” city. Volunteers who helped to organize the celebration that evening also coordinated a fundraiser for Mayor Mendenhall’s 1,000 Trees Initiative including art from Utah artists, Karen Horne, Josh Scheureman, Bill Lewis and myself. Josh and Bill created wall murals beautifying our city, while Karen Horne and I had the honor of presenting the Mayor with our tree paintings in acknowledgement of a community coming together in support of our Mayor’s vision.
2022 marks the second year and the next 1,000 trees Mayor Erin Mendenhall is committed to planting on Salt Lake City’s West Side, partnering with the coordinated efforts of Tree Utah and their volunteers, helping make it all possible.
“Planting 1,000 extra trees in our city every year on our west side is one way we’re working to address environmental justice, air quality, livability and so many other inequities we find between the east and west side. It’s also a beautiful way to build community, not unlike art.”
Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Janell James, and Crystal Young
Crystal Young, Executive Director of the Utah Cultural Alliance, is an active volunteer with a huge love for the arts. Crystal, along with other volunteers, coordinated the 1,000 Trees Initiative Fundraiser including Utah Artists. Many thanks to Crystal for the honor to be a part of something so important!
Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Janell James
”Pave Paradise”, my painting after the refrain from Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, is an interactive etching and painting of a tree with a target as a focal point. With a sharp spotlight or light from a handheld device, the image of the tree is projected onto the target and stretches along the wall behind. The tree and target equally vie for attention.
“Involving artists in this project is a testament to the love Salt Lake City has for the arts.”
Janell James, Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Karen Horne
Limited Edition Prints on German Rag Paper
Recently, I have been making a few limited edition prints on German rag paper. They are renditions of paintings I have created and subjects I have collected over the years.
“Sundance” is the first release of 2022. Aspen groves line the streets of the canyon near Sundance Resort here in Utah, and I enjoy giving them a contemporary twist. The way this image looks is often how I feel when walking through the forest. Trees, bushes, sounds, smells, wind, and sun all meld nicely together, like a hearty stew that has been cooking on the burner all day, nourishing body and soul. I hope you enjoy!
“Sundance” 11” x 17” on hand torn German rag paper. 6/6 Available, $400.
To see more available limited edition prints, please visit my website.
Here’s wishing you a Happy 2022 filled with health, friendship, joy and love!
Tree Spirits or in Japanese, Kodama
“Kodama” found a home with a new collector thanks to RARE Gallery and the Caldera House in Jackson Hole, WY.
Kodama (木霊, 木魂 or 木魅) are spirits in Japanese folklore that inhabit trees, similar to the dryads of Greek mythology. The term is also used to denote a tree in which a kodama supposedly resides. The phenomenon known as yamabiko, when sounds make a delayed echoing effect in mountains and valleys, is sometimes attributed to this kind of spirit, and may also be referred to as "kodama". ~Wikipedia
“Kodama”, 36.5” x 28.5” Acrylic on Multi-Panel Acrylic Glass
Painted on the front and back of six panes of clear acrylic glass, this painting is ten layers deep, and framed in a solid 1” deep, hand sanded acrylic frame.
Private Collection
Collect One Collect All at Anne Jespersen Fine Arts
You can find this fun grouping of small abstract paintings available at Anne Jespersen Fine Arts in Helper, UT.
What I love about these vibrant works of art is that you can mix and match and collect more over time. It is a great way to add a splash of color to your home or work environment.
Enhance your visual space with original art!
Top Row: “Desert Garden” (Left), “Mermaid Garden” (Right)
Bottom Row: “Wild Mountain Honey” (Left), “Subterranean River” (Right)
Available. Each measures 8” x 8”, Mixed Media Multi-Layered Acrylic Paintings
“I combine traditional and modern art styles, merging old-world traditions with contemporary techniques for endless possibilities.”
– Janell James