You're Invited: May 2015 First Friday Artwalk

Put on your strolling shoes and come downtown for Winslow's May First Friday Artwalk!  We are proud to
showcase Jen Till's atmospheric landscapes, seascapes, and an occasional winged creature.  Join us to view the latest from this wonderful artist, have a sip of wine, enjoy a bit of conversation with the local art crowd and - what a treat! - listen to music from everyone's favorite gypsy jazz band, Ranger and the Re-Arrangers!

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Beyond.  Jen Till.  Oil on canvas.  30" x 40".

Studies in Light and Space

The Art of Jen Till

May 1 – June 28, 2015

New Oil Paintings on Canvas and Paper

from Bainbridge Island Artist

Jen Till

Opening Reception

First Friday, May 1st, 6-8 pm

In concert:

Ranger and the Re-Arrangers

Bainbridge Island’s Own

Gypsy Jazz Band

About the Artist:  Jen Till spent her childhood years in a seaside village, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, along the New England coast.  Surrounded by the seasons during her formative years led Jen to look to nature as the basis of all her work as a painter today.

Her love of painting began at a young age.  Jen's childhood experience in her New England surroundings was filled with the richness of colorful, sweeping fall, quiet, bleak winter, spring's lush bloom, and summer with its green warmth. Inspired by her many creative family members, she was fortunate to be entirely embraced in her budding love of art throughout childhood.  Jen went on to the Rhode Island School of Design where she studied Painting and Textiles.  After graduating, Jen moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she began to explore painting the vast landscape and light of the Southwest.

Eventually making her way to the West Coast, Jen now lives, paints, teaches and works as a freelance textile designer on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Jen, in the Gallery with "Calm Sea"

I am inspired by the many ways light casts itself on our earth. Moments in my life when I behold such beauty inspires me to create its memory in my work. Nature provides me with a foundation upon which I can build paintings to express a wide range of feeling.

The process I use is meditation with my brush in hand. This enables my creative energy to flow, uninterrupted and fueled by intuition. By creating layers with glazes I try to explore the inherent aspects of paint itself while keeping my mind focused on a feeling and place. 

My painting experience grounds me and reminds me to be aware of the presence of spirit in all of life's moments.

I search for this essence and mystery as I dwell on a place filled with light. My hope is to engage the viewer and to share the mystery and calm I so cherish. My work reminds me that by painting the experience of the material world around me I can move toward the intangible, ethereal mystery of life.

Small Quail.  Jen Till.  Oil on paper. 7" x 4".

Vermont Barn.  Jen Till.  Oil on paper.  7" x 7".

About the Band:  Bainbridge Island’s Ranger and the Re-Arrangers play “Gypsy jazz” or “hot jazz,” an upbeat style created in the 1930s by Django Reinhardt and other European stringplayers who embraced American jazz. The band’s repertoire appeals to everyone who enjoys swing standards, traditional Gypsy jazz songs, and world music originals. The band features young violin “phenom” Ranger, whose creative, syncopated leads complement the band’s steady, swinging rhythms.

Ranger Sciacca’s performances and compositions reflect his extensive studies in classical, jazz, and folk music. His Suzuki teacher, Alice Kanack, publishes books and CDs on improvising classical music. Ranger also studied folk and dance music for seven years with renowned Seattle fiddler Stuart Williams. Ranger’s main influences include guitarist Django Reinhardt and jazz violin greats Stuff Smith, Claude Williams and Stephane Grappelli. Ranger studied jazz theory and history at Whitman College.

Michael Sciacca, Ranger’s dad, has been his rhythm guitarist for many years; they have performed as a swing jazz duo since 2001.

  

Percussionist Jeffrey Moose has a 30-year career in both music and fine art. His collaborations and band projects include work with Joined at the Head, Heliotroupe, Dog Superior, Stiff Kitty, Atoke, Zayah Emmanuel, and Sam Andrews, founder of Big Brother and the Holding Company. He is currently director of Jeffrey Moose Gallery in Seattle.

Mandolin player Dave Stewart is a classically-trained pianist.

Event Location:  The Island Gallery, 400 Winslow Way E., #120, Bainbridge Island, Washington.

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