Mothership Calling Me Home
6.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" mixed-media assemblage sculpture 2019
LED requires three LR41 watch cells, included
shown light on; light off
available through Cactus Gallery
portfolio photography by Todd Powers

LED Light Detail:  Mothership Calling Me Home
6.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" mixed-media assemblage sculpture 2019
LED requires three LR41 watch cells, included
shown: light on; light off
available through Cactus Gallery

WIP and portfolio videos of this work can be found on the playlist,
"Mothership Calling Me Home" on my YouTube Channel: 
www.youtube.com/user/gessochick

At one of my first exhibits with Cactus Gallery, 2015; I remarked to a new friend that I'd never before felt so comfortable in a gallery space.  Puns on space immediately followed, and I quipped that Cactus Gallery felt, to me, like the mothership calling me home.  I was making a joke, but the sentiment was heartfelt, and when Cactus Gallery announced a show themed on the idea of "Homes" I knew it was time to pull this idea from the pile, and bring it to life.

Sculpting with Worbla occasionally results in burnt fingers, but it is so much lighter and sturdier than clay.  I have plenty of good-sized scraps to work with, left over from larger projects we work at The Raven's Nest; thermoplastic scraps never go to waste.

I positioned the tiny LED instrument in such a way that the switch can be removed, and the batteries can be replaced. 

The tiny jet-pack was left over from an old model kit, and there was only one.  We created a silicone mold, to cast replicas for more space chickens.  After a few trials, it was ultimately a success.  My chicken space-helmet ideas, not so much.  Every attempted helmet design so far has been chucked.  Most of the hours I put into new assemblage works are invested in trial and error; emphasis on error.  Still; working out helmet ideas for future sculptures. But this particular chicken would have to go without --my deadline was fast approaching and I needed to finish the work. 

Scrapping the helmet was a letdown for me, but painting is my strong area so that lifted my spirits considerably.  Painting the ChickenShip began with a layer of textured spray paint over the worbla, followed by an under-painting of metallic silver oil-based spray paint, detailed with copper.  A bit of acrylic gesso was added to the areas I wanted to finish in acrylic, so that the acrylic details would not peel up over the oil base.

When I went to add a plastic window to the ship's port hole, I discovered that I'd neglected to level the rim, and the window would not fit, flush. I'd already painted it so I could not just zap it with the heat gun, to re-shape.  Frustration.  Then I came down with a cold and found myself sick in bed; I missed my show deadline as a result, but I also continued to work the problem in my head.  Perhaps influenced by the heavy cold and flu medications, I hatched a potentially crazy idea; a ceramic plate, slow heat, and carefully timed application of pressure might re-shape the thermoplastic without warping the oil-based paint.  It was a risk but I decided to try it.

It worked.  And Todd got to joke that Raven finally learned how to do something right in the kitchen.  Ba-dum-ching.

Originally, the port-hole window was going to be a repurposed plastic spice lid; but when I turned on the light inside, it showed scratches on the lid I had not seen before, so I switched to a reclaimed plastic pocket watch crystal, affixed with 5-minute epoxy resin. 

I worked my signature into a rusty design on the back of one fin:

This work is now available through Cactus Gallery. Shop Cactus, online at cactusgalleryla.com.
Follow Cactus Gallery on Facebook and Instagram

Flashback to 2006:  This acrylic painting, titled 'Merry Meet' was created using line work from a crayon sketch of our first cat, Wednesday.

Above: 'Merry Meet' acrylic on canvas 2006
Below: Photo of Wednesday, 2006, and crayon sketch I caught of her, that same day

Wednesday was a faithful Studio Cat for almost two decades.  When we lost her, I clipped the original line work from my old sketch book and pinned it up with a photo of her, in the studio.  It was the first thing I thought of when we were asked to created 'Cats' themed works for the upcoming 'CATS' online art show, with Cactus Gallery. 

I decided to honor Wednesday with a new work, based on that original sketch:

I still can't listen to Lisa Loeb's 'Waiting for Wednesday' without good memories of our first Studio Cat.  I borrowed the song title for this painting, a 4x4" acrylic on 1 .5" artist wrapped canvas.

Also for 'CATS' with Cactus:  'Rawr!' is another 4x4", and an expression of my ambitions for the year ahead.  To quote the incomparable Judy Chicago, "Art can educate, inspire, empower people to act." I intend to be consciously doing just that, with more of my work, in 2019.  I have a dozen new projects in my queue to this effect, including paintings, sculptures, and collaborative works in concepts photography, with some of my favorite fellow artists. 

It's going to be busy year at the raven's nest.  Stay tuned!

Sister small works.  One looking to the past; one looking to the future. 

These works are available for purchase through Cactus Gallery. 
Contact Sandra Mastroianni at sandra@cactusgalleryla.com for collector preview.

'CATS' online art show, coming soon to Cactus Gallery.  Exhibit opens Friday January 18th at 5pm.  Visit  cactusgalleryla.com/ or find Cactus Gallery on Facebook. 

In September, I will be joining an encore 'Pain' themed exhibit, hosted by the USC Keck School of Medicine. The original 'Pain' themed exhibit, in 2014, was hosted by The Gallery at the LRC, the David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. 

This is a mail-in exhibit, so we don't get the artwork back when it comes down. Inexpensive creation is key: I re-purposed a cereal box to create a fold-up mailer, which will protect my work on it's way to USC Keck School of Medicine. 

A little packing tape; a little gesso; we're in business.

'Fly Away Home' is an ongoing collaboration that I've been creating with model Brenda Lucero.  We began this project in 2016; this project is dedicated to the memory of Brenda's little brother, Johnny.  I am grateful to Brenda for her friendship, her talent, and her courage in sharing this personal pain with the world, through our art. 

'Fly Away Home' ongoing series, beginning December 2016
Photographers Jen Raven and Todd Powers * Model Brenda Lucero
Body Art, Backdrop Art Jen Raven * Rain Backdrop Todd Powers
Wardrobe/MUA Brenda Lucero * Editing Jen Raven and Todd Powers

More information about 'Pain2' on Facebook
'Pain2' exhibit runs Sept. 1 through Oct. 27.

There are more dandelion-themed body-art works
and dandelion-themed paintings in my galleries.

Update!  Photos are coming in from the exhibit, at Keck School of Medicine USC!

Video on Facebook

In August, Cactus Gallery will open for 'Pinocchio's Follies' a group show featuring the work of artist  Joe Alvarez.  Exhibit runs August 12 - September 2.

I've created a small painting for this Pinocchio-themed show. 'Heading' is 4x4" acrylic on a .5" artist-wrapped canvas, and features the character of the Fairy's pet Snail. 
For pre-sale information on this work, contact Sandra Mastroianni at  sandra@cactusgalleryla.com

'Heading'
4x4" acrylic on .5" artist-wrapped canvas
Varnished; sawtooth on back

Carlo Collodi intended the story 'Pinocchio' to be a tragedy. In the original version (1881), Pinocchio dies a gruesome death: hanged for his innumerable faults.  At the request of his editor, Collodi added chapters 16–36, in which the Fairy with Turquoise Hair rescues Pinocchio, and eventually transforms him into a real boy --when he acquires a deeper understanding of himself.*

I can't help but see, in the Pinocchio story, a metaphor --for the situation humanity currently inhabits:  Despite innumerable warnings, from countless scientists, over multiple decades, we continue to rush headlong toward a global catastrophe that we ourselves have created. Within this metaphor; I clearly see the ugly side of humanity represented in the foolish, selfish character of Pinocchio, while science and scientists are embodied in the prudent,  generous Fairy with the Turquoise Hair --a character who repeatedly counsels Pinocchio to improve his ways, providing him with guidance, as well as assistance, on numerous occasions throughout the story.  Humanity may very well have doomed itself, through the ongoing abuse of our planet.  Science may yet provide us with opportunities for a second chance --a chance we may not deserve, any more than Pinocchio did.

In the story; a Snail character provides Pinocchio with opportunities for a second chance, and later in the story, for a chance to give back, to the Fairy who has given him so much.  Pinocchio's acceptance of these opportunities, to make a change for the better, is what ultimately leads him to become 'a real boy' with a better understanding of himself and his place in the world.  I'd like to think that humanity could be like Pinocchio in this sense; I'd like to think that we have the capacity to change, and to take advantage of the opportunities provided us --while there is still time.

*Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adventures_of_Pinocchio

My work will be making appearances in two exhibits this month, and both are opening on June 10th.  Bee there, or bee square!

'Bee Squared' and 'Euglossa' will be in Los Angeles, for 'Something Wild in My Garden' and both are available now with Cactus Gallery.   See more photos in the online shop.

'bee squared' 2017
4x4" acrylic on 1" deep artist-wrapped canvas

'Euglossa' 2017
mixed-media sculpture 10”L x 10”H x 17”W

See more works like this one in my gallery.

Stand: 9.5”W x 6.5”L x 20”H

Work-in-progress video of 'Euglossa' creation: 

More videos of Euglossa in-progress can be viewed on my Youtube channel.

Euglossa is a genus of Orchid Bees, or Euglossini.   Euglossa occurs naturally in the Neotropics, from Mexico to Paraguay, also Argentina, Brazil, and Jamaica. 

110 species within genus Euglossa have so far been identified, including Euglossa dilemma.  They are typically bright metallic blue, green, coppery, or golden.

A native of Central America (Costa Rica to Mexico), Euglossa dilemma was first detected in Florida in 2003.  Euglossa dilemma have since been found in Texas as well. 

It is thought that Euglossa dilemma was introduced to the US by accident; perhaps a nest was transported north in a wooden structure such as a pallet. 

Euglossa dilemma are specialized to visit particular species of neotropical orchid; the male uses the fragrances during courtship.  In Florida, Euglossa dilemma have successfully adapted to breed with the presence of any orchid.
(Source Material: Wikipedia)

'Something Wild in My Garden' opens June 10 with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles and runs through July 15, 2017. 

Exploring the plight of urban wildlife: Many of our furry and feathered friends have been evicted from their habitat by an exploding human population.  In our search for progress, we are destroying their natural environment. In turn wildlife are forced into our residential areas, in order to find food for survival.

Also this month:  My 'In Life' wearable art series will be joining 'All U Can Eat' in Pomona, CA. 

'All U Can Eat' is a curated small-works exhibit, hosted by Bunny Gunnery Gallery. 
Opening with the Second Saturday Art Walk, it will appear at two locations: La Bomba Vintage (195 W. 2nd St.) and DPOA's Metro Gallery (119 W. 2nd St.).  Exhibit runs  June 10 through July 1, 2017.

This work is the newest addition to my ongoing series, 'Reaching' and it will exhibit with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles, in 'Bad Girls and Outcasts'  opening April 22, 2017.  Visit Cactus online to see the show before it opens!

I've been invited to participate in Cactus Gallery's annual '¡Loteria!' exhibit, in which artists are assigned cards from the Loteria deck as inspiration for original artwork.  I've been given card #31 'Las Jaras' (the arrows) and also, from the older, lesser-known deck, card #87, 'La Plancha' (the iron). 

My work for 'La Plancha' is a nod to activism on behalf of women's rights, and includes a quote often associated with the women's movements in the 1960's; "The personal is the political."  The iron is a tool easily associated with the kinds of work society usually assigns to women --the work that is 'never done' while also largely unrecognized and usually unpaid. 

'La Plancha' is 5x3" watercolor and archival ink on watercolor paper.  The frame I built for this work is permanently attached to the painting, hardware on back.

While sketching out my ideas for 'Las Jaras' I was mindful of a Mexican proverb;
"They tried to bury us.  They did no know we were seeds." 

'Las Jaras' is 12x9" acrylic on composite board (a clip-board with the clip removed), hardware on back. 

'¡Loteria! iii' opens March 11, 2017 with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles.. 
Shop Cactus Gallery online

Another bee has landed, just in time for 'Symphony of Wings'
group arts exhibit, with Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles.
Featured on beautiful.bizarre.net

'Symphony of Wings' runs June 11 through July 2, 2016

'Blue Monday' in-progress, supervised by Studio Cat.

Included in this project; my first attempt at layering airbrush colors over faux-fur. 

View 'Blue Monday' at cactusgalleryla.com, or at Pinterest. 
See more of my bee artworks here and here
Read more about 'Symphony of 'Wings' at Beautiful Bizarre
Portfolio photographs of my work by Todd Powers

This month, I exhibit with 'Beastly Beings' group show at Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles!

In keeping with my recent trend of bee-themed works, I've created a Beastly Bee:

'Beastly Beings' opens May 14 and runs through June 4, 2016
Cactus Gallery 3001 N. Coolidge Avenue Los Angeles

For this exhibit, participating artists were challenged to focus on "the powerful yet beautiful connectedness of animals, the outside world, and the harsh realities that are the core of human nature." Around that time, I happened to be reading David Whyte, and also some Anaïs Nin; both have written excellent insights into the "struggle between one's longing to be whole, and the acceptance of one's self as a fluid phenomenon" (David Whyte).  Such ongoing conflicts, and their resolutions, are definitely a harsh reality concerning my own human nature.

been meaning to learn worbla for some time, and this was the perfect opportunity; I wanted Bee to 'fly' and so needed her to be light as well as strong. 

Learning a new material on a deadline can be challenging, in more ways than one; 
I was in for a considerable learning experience, and I got to spend some quality time with certain other 'harsh realities' of my own human nature, in the process.  The irony! 

After much trial and error, and several burnt fingers, Bee finally came to life.  She is a mixed-media work including worbla, faux fur, Lutrador paper-fabric, acrylic matte medium, gesso, paint, tulle, embroidery floss, and multiple gauges of wire.

Working details on this piece:  Display chain is removable and adjustable.  Hanging ring is hinged, for removal/replacement.  Bee can fly from this base, or may be displayed from a wall bracket, ceiling hook, or curtain rod.

View 'A Fluid Phenomenon' on Pinterest or at Cactus Gallery.
Photos by Todd Powers.

Photobombs courtesy of Studio Cat.

UPDATE!  Bee has sold, and now has a home with the
Buena Vista Branch Library in Burbank, CA.  Yay! Thank you, CR!

Selections from our concept photo series Pas de Berlin are now on exhibit with Erns Lab, a new arts space in Upland!  Also on exhibit are several of my recent acrylic works, and my creepy creatures in cages.

Erns Lab, the latest brainchild of artist Erns Valdez, is an eclectic creative environment, offering a photography studio, equipment rental, and studio space.  The Lab will also be hosting classes, workshops and small private shows and events.

Erns, an award winning gallery director (and producer of the Mindclouder Music Festival) has recently relocated his arts business from Pomona to Upland.  His last arts space, Loft Beats, was voted 'Best Gallery in the I.E.' two years running by Inland Empire Weekly.  We loved working with Loft Beats in Pomona, and we believe Erns Lab will prove an equally rewarding experience. 

This exhibit will run now through September 24, and every Thursday Erns Lab is open for the Farmer's Market in Historic Downtown Upland, so if you're in the area, be sure to check it out!

Stay tuned for more on our collaborations with Erns; we've got big plans for the future!

I've started working on a new series, in ink and acrylic on canvas.  Each piece begins with a rough figurative sketch over written lines of prose or poetry, and then layers of acrylic gesso, paint and more sketch are build up on top of the words. 

'Please Keep Off The Grass' is my tongue-in-cheek response to the ongoing debates concerning marijuana and its legalization. 

This work is 14x11" acrylic on artist-wrapped canvas.  It has wire hanging hardware on back, and is available for purchase. 

Below: Work in-progress shots of 'Please Keep Off The Grass' from completed line work to finished painting.

'Please Keep Off The Grass' 2014
14x11" acrylic on artist-wrapped canvas
available

Portfolio Photography by Todd Powers

In May of 2013, I had the pleasure of working with model Jin n' Tonic, for a body painting photo project we titled 'Dandelion.'   I was inspired to continue with the dandelion theme on canvas, and early this year I finished 'Long Way to Somewhere' (acrylic on canvas 10x8"):

'A long way to somewhere' is an homage to the poet David Whyte.; this line was taken from his work, 'Glentrasna,' which spoke to me on a very personal level, as I worked my way through the project.  An excerpt from this poem wound up on the project board, and kept me inspired in the weeks leading up to the shoot.

". . . and horizons held their own unspoken promise,
that grief could be its own cure . . .

. . . as if even the sharpest pain
could be a long way to somewhere after all . . ."

~David Whyte, excerpt from 'Glentrasna'

On a personal level, working with the dandelion theme over the past six months has been wonderfully healing.  I'm so grateful for paint; for poetry; for people. 

Slideshow:  Progression of 'Long Way to Somewhere' (May 24, 2013 - January 1, 2014):

Progression photos of 'long way to somewhere' by Jen Raven
Portfolio photos of 'long way to somewhere' by Todd Powers

Update!  Photos from my collaboration work "One" with Todd Powers and Alala Archer have joined a new group arts exhibit, "PAIN" at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, in the Gallery at the LRC .

Chickens appear often in my work.

Born with wings, but rarely given the chance to fly, they represent deep, often unsatisfied longing, for that which cannot be --for paths not taken; for unrealized dreams; for unrequited love.

For several weeks, lemon seedlings adorned my windowsill.

The day of the test shoot arrived.  The "test" however, produced such lovely results --too lovely not to publish.  We decided to properly edit this set, and release it:

Dandelion is an outsider of sorts; a lovely wild flower, wrongly named a weed. Jin and I both appreciate Dandelion as an irreverent, tenacious little survivor --she flies on the wind and blooms wherever she lands; no shame, no apologies.
 
On the flip side; the Dandelion is tough to capture, visually.  She's complicated ... One more reason to like her.  I am still new to body painting, especially in color, and I had only ten days to research, sketch, plan . . . and practice, on anyone who would sit still (thank you, Lisa)!

The day of the shoot arrived, and I was nervous.  The group had great energy, though, making it impossible to stay tense. 

Lisa created something uniquely wild and beautiful with Jin's hair;  And I was able to let myself get lost in the paint. The practice paid off, as I finished painting Jin sooner than I'd anticipated.

To complete her look, Todd air-brushed some blue-green into Jin's hair, and she was ready to go.

Jin, Todd, and Lisa had all been scouting potential locations, in the ten days I was learning Dandelion, so no time was wasted during the shoot, either. 

 (above and nsfw) behind the scenes video created by Jin n' Tonic!
(below) slide-show of Jin's four-hour transformation into the Dandelion:

For more on this project, visit A JNT Blog on Jin's official fan page!

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Dia de los Muertos celebration at First Friday Art Walk, Bakersfield CA.

"Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction."  
~Pablo Picasso

It began with a wall. 

A creative wall, that is, and one that I was eager to break through.  I've been longing to finish up my current series, and move on to new things; but for one reason or another, I've been stuck --both on, and off, the canvas.

The take-out box has been for what you take with you, from your experiences in life.  Dine In, Take Out.  I've enjoyed playing with that idea.

The TV has been for the deliberate numbing, or drowning out, of that which you've taken, but you aren't ready to 'digest.'  But lately, the TV has come to represent more of a cycle, for me; I worked on these same three pieces all summer, and I'd paint in the figures, only to paint them out, over and over again.  I began to see the absurd in my creating, only to destroy, these three paintings ... I wasn't really getting anywhere.

The layers of gesso are really starting to pile up on these guys.

Whenever it goes thus for too long, I put aside my painting, and play with assemblage instead.  Todd knows how much I love random found objects, and that's why he surprised me with the forks, which of course I loved, and put to good use:

These tiny silver forks are begging to become wearable art.

I'm a great believer in Serendipity, and this instance is no exception.  The fork is an excellent visual representation for being 'Done!' -and I've really enjoyed playing with this whole new form of take-out; I feel that it mirrors my own situation perfectly.  The time has come, it says, to clear your plate, so that you may be excused from the table.  Release what is no longer necessary, and make room for new adventures.

Time to take this show on the road!

I've really let myself enjoy the forks, and I'm happy to say they've worked their way into my acrylics, as well.

The time has come, to push back from the table and say "No more Jell-O for me, Ma!"

I was ready to let the forks carry me to the finish line in 2012.  What I wasn't prepared for, was the way other people would respond to the forks, and embrace the idea of being Done:

It seems I'm not the only one who's had a transformational year --I'm in good company, with folks who are ready to clean their plates and ask for dessert.  They are quitting old  jobs and finding new careers; they are finishing up college degrees or taking classes for the first time; they are putting aside old heartaches and beginning new relationships. 

They are saying 'Done' to the old, and making room for the new.  Just being in their company has been energizing.  I'm now feeling ready to tackle my studio full of half-finished paintings, and get some things Done, myself. 

It ended with a wall:

We gathered for one last shot in front of the yellow wall, on the corner of 19th and Eye, to say "Stick a fork in me; I'm DONE!" What are you done with, as 2012 begins to wind down?  What new adventures are you ready to make room for, in your life?

Finished at last!  'Holding Pattern' 2012 triptych, acrylic on canvas 12x14" x3

'Stick a fork in me, I'm done!'
Special thanks to: Todd Powers, Poet Bakersfield, David Karnowski, Lavinia Marigold, Zack Forker, Devin Riane, Sarah Purdy, Robin Jonesensteinowitz, Katie Campbell, Jesse Arenas, Lisa Klassen-Barnes and Brenden Barnes, Allyce Owens, Lisa Bell, Natalie Ray, Fortino Alvarez, Lucy Cruz, Tsunami McCorvey, Jessica Franco, Christinev Bayb, Baby Lilli, Tabitha Paige Bruner, Brenda Saucedo.

We are so grateful to model Valerie Vickers for volunteering her time -and talent- toward our study of body painting!  Todd and I both learned a lot from this test shoot.


I'm so grateful to model Devin Riane, for all the hours she has cheerfully volunteered herself as a human canvas toward my study of body painting. 

Thank you, Jessica!

We are so grateful to model Scarlett Reign, for volunteering her time -and talent- toward our study of body painting!  Todd and I both learned a lot from this test shoot.
 

In addition to being a fabulous model, Scarlett is also a brilliant costume designer,
and she's a lovely dancer as well.  So much talent!

She's always up to something new:  See more of Scarlett Rein on Facebook.

'For Gallantry in Action'
2010 acrylic on canvas 24x20"

UPDATE! 4-17.17: 'For Gallantry in Action' has been adopted! Thank you, Lucy Cruz, for supporting the arts! And thank you, Solmayra Ocampo, for your service! Here's to strong women everywhere: May we know them; may we be them; may we raise them.

More photos of this and other works can be viewed in the gallery!