Today, we’re going In the Studio with artist Jeffrey S. Felten-Green. Felten-Green’s solo exhibition, Captured Spirits In Motion, is currently on view in Hal Gomer Gallery from January 10 - February 29, 2024.

The gallery reception for his show is on February 1, 2024 6 - 8 pm.

RSVP HERE

***Jeffrey S. Felten-Green (b. 1965, Connecticut, US)***

The paintings and crafts I create appeal to my own sensibility of what art is. I describe it as “vibrant, engaging, and organic.” I love bright colors, and I love to evoke a mood in the observer. If I were ever forced to create a particular item or to create art in a particular mood, I am afraid the magic would be lost for me.
Many of my ideas are satirical, playful, and at times, serious. My art is also about storytelling, and I often flip the standard narrative or story and highlight them in a more interesting way. My collections of African-inspired paintings, icons, political paintings, folk pieces, and parodies reflect my many and varied influences, muses, and things that are important to me.
***Like when raising children, I see my role in creating art as one where I nurture and tend to the pieces and always give them my best. Then, I release them to the world to bring and share joy.***

How do you find inspiration?

My Inspiration comes from everywhere and I don't limit myself to just looking at other visual art and I explore different forms, such as music, dance, literature, or film. I also experiment with other mediums such as wood where I continue to find inspiration through my pyrography and wood burning compositions.

How often do you create art?

In the art community it is known that consistent practice helps to develop muscle memory, observational skills, and creative thinking and so I tend to create art every day or at a minimum, every other day to maintain and improve even if it's just for a short amount of time. For my acrylic paintings, I create tend to complete one or two compositions per month and I do not mind working long hours because I am doing a job that I am truly

passionate about.

What is your studio/creative space like?

My studio provides a place to experiment and make a mess without worrying about damaging other areas of my home. It also offers a private area to display my work and meet with clients. My studio has three tables, art supplies, a printer, scanner, one large easel, my favorite books, and a large storage cabinet. One table is close to a window that looks out on the street so I can see neighbors pass by and there is also a ceiling fan with very bright light that shines down and reflect light evenly throughout the studio.

How would you describe your style of work?

The paintings and crafts I create appeal to my own sensibility of what art is. If I were forced to create a particular item or to create art in a particular mood, I am afraid the magic would be lost for me. Many of my ideas are satirical, playful, and at times, serious. They are snapshots of everyday life or life I conceive of in my imagination. My collections of African-inspired paintings, icons, political paintings, folk pieces, and parodies reflect my influences, muses, and the things that are important to me. I love bright colors, and I love to evoke a mood in the observer. I do not like to tell the same story when I create. I also do not want to be pinned down by labels, styles, or methods.

How do you know when a work is finished?

Creating an artwork is a deeply personal experience. Sometimes, it’s as if your soul is transmitted to the surface through the marks that are made. The very nature of creating is so personal that sometimes it’s hard to know when to stop. The reality is that deciding when to stop “speaking” is tough for all of us. But knowing when and where to draw the line is important to success because I don’t want to overwork my art, but I also don’t want to stop before it has reached its full potential. Creating is personal and the answer to this question is ultimately personal as well and so it is something that we must determine for ourselves.

To learn more about Jeffrey and his artwork, visit his website.