NEXT ARTHOP IS August 14!
=-=What is “2nd Saturday Art Hop?”
"2nd Saturday Art Hop" is a monthly event, celebrating the arts and culture in far Northern CA. Each second Saturday is a new, exciting community event in Redding, showcasing different regional artists - painters, musicians, poets - something for everyone!
Each 2nd Saturday, participating businesses are featured on the Art Hop Map. Each hosts a reception for a different regional artist. So, get your map, "hop" from business to business and experience the North State's rich cultural and artistic diversity!
Be a Part of “2nd Saturday Art Hop!"
ArtHop businesses and artists are featured each month on the ArtHop page in the "Day & Night" Arts and Entertainment section of anewscafe.com, the North State's comprehensive guide to Art, Music, Performance and Community Events.
HawkMan Studios will coordinate an artist, install the show, publicize the event, develop materials and lead ArtHop participants to anewscafe.com for event maps, featured artist profile, kick-off details and blog.
By participating in “Art Hop” businesses and artists can take advantage of our combined efforts, a presence on "Day & Night" at anewscafe.com, the services of a business that has experience producing arts events, monthly exposure to new “Art Hoppers” and recognition as a supporter of the arts.
For more information about participating in “2nd Saturday Art Hop,” contact HawkMan Studios:
(530) 243-1169 or hawkmanstudios@yahoo.com
August Art Hop Artist of the Month
Jen Speigle
Jen Speigle’s first serious art class was in 1995 at the Academy of Art University. Jen didn't have a clear conception of what her major would be but decided to study illustration because the curriculum was rigorous and allowed her to explore every medium. Illustration honed Jen, a full-time web developer, on her first love: oil painting.
How did you land in the North State?
I moved back to Redding in 2009 after being on hiatus for 15 years in the Bay Area, the Napa Valley, and the Sacramento Valley. I was born and raised in Redding and my whole family lives here. When I landed my dream job of working full time as a web developer from home, I had the ability to relocate anywhere. It’s fun to be back in my hometown.
What was the first thing you remember creating?
Well if you're talking childhood, the standard 6 year old little girl color drawing of hills and rainbows comes to mind. I think I re-created the same scene a million times back then while crumpling up the paper and starting over if it wasn't perfect.
Describe your work for someone who hasn't seen it?
Rich in color and light paint application. I meticulously try to be non-meticulous, so edges are not as defined, but there is a definite focus on light and the moment in time. My main body of work consists of city scenes, landscapes, and portraits.
How has your work evolved?
A painter's style consists of how a painter wants to paint, and what a painter can't help but doing. Ten years ago, my style was more choppy and more free. It developed to a more unified style which flows evenly. I'm obsessive when I have a brush in my hand facing a canvas and have learned that unless I have eight to ten hours to spare, I shouldn't allow myself near that canvas.
What are you inspired by now? Has that changed?
There's a grab bag of inspirations. I like inspirational movies. I follow famous creative people on the web who are perpetually driven; whether they are artists, designers, or musicians. Perseverence is definately a quality I admire. I am also constantly connected with my IPod to help me focus and tune out everything when I paint. That has never changed.
What do you feel about the "state of the arts" in the North State?
When I left Redding and moved to San Francisco in 1995, I lost a span of 15 years of what has bloomed up here. When I returned, I was happy to see the support for the arts. I think businesses are now more supportive of giving artists opportunities because it is now more mainstream. The art in City Hall and the Library is also fabulous.
What can art lovers expect from your ArtHop show this month?
There are some new koi fish paintings that I will be showing which aren't on my website yet. Along with those I hope to show a few city scenes from San Francisco and landscapes from Monterey and the Napa Valley.
See Jen’s work through August at Tapas Downtown, 1257 Oregon Street, Redding. Meet Jen at a reception for the artist, this Saturday, Aug. 14, 6 to 9 p.m., during 2nd Saturday ArtHop. For more information about Jen, visit www.JenSpeigle.com.
Interview by Adam Mankoski. Originally published in the
Redding Record Searchlight DATE and redding.com.
