Biography

Jonathan Owens was born September 8th, 1973, the youngest of four brothers in an artistic family. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest with an avid interest in art that manifested in sketching, photography, and painting. During high school, Jonathan enjoyed long art discussions with his mother, Jan Hart, and was exposed to several master painters such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Vincent Van Gogh, and Claude Monet. These influences will remain with him always.

After high school, Jonathan enrolled at Cornish College of the Arts to pursue graphic design as a profession. While he studied graphic design, he was able to take several fine art electives. Along with his other course work, he managed to take private classes in soft pastel with artist, Brenda Hughes. Though he graduated with his degree in design in 1997, he had found his passion in painting, and knew that painting would be his primary life focus.

Jonathan's initial subjects in painting were flowers, shells, and other close-ups of nature. These subjects gave him the opportunity to study form and composition while discovering his own unique process in painting. His passion expanded to capturing light once he began painting the skies of the southwest. Light and all of its amazing nuances is Jonathan's primary passion in painting. Painting the light in the sky and the light that surrounds chosen close-ups mirrors his search for the light within himself.

Currently Jonathan is residing in Seattle, Washington. The northwest offers a variety of treasures that influence his creativity. Here he continues to grow as a painter and a professional artist.

Artist Statement

My artistic process begins with close observation of a chosen subject. Design principles such as composition, harmony, value, color balance, rhythm, and unity are my intial tools to organize the painting. Once my concept is clear, I push myself to go deeper and to be as conscious and aware of every part of the subject as I am able. Usually, I find one or two focal points. Ultimately, all the parts of the painting take their place to support and express the whole. Some play subtle roles, some are surprisingly bold.

I use both color and light to express and enhance the essential nature of the subject. Light becomes an expression of life not only radiating from outside, but from within. Color emerges from the subject and becomes a mystery when combined with light. My subjects vary from close-ups of nature to the vast expanse of the skies above.

As an artist, I deliberately put myself into a state of deeper consciousness, almost as a meditation. In this state, I am more able to be in touch with my creative self, where painting is joyful and nearly effortless. Even though I am most passionate about the nuances of light, it is self expression that ignites the creative process. It is my hope that the viewer, when experiencing my painting, can catch a glimpse of his or her own individual depth and uniqueness.

Resume

Education

Cornish College of the Arts - Seattle, Washington
Bachelors of Arts Degree in Graphic Design

Professional Affiliations

Northwest Pastel Society Member

Exhibitions

11 / 2007 - solo show, Skies the Limit
Fountainhead Gallery, Seattle, Washington

12 / 2006 - solo show, Recent Paintings
Derby Salon, Seattle, Washington

11 / 2006 - solo show, Recent Paintings
Starbucks Coffee House, Seattle, Washington

02 / 2006 - solo show, Recent Paintings
Trine Studios, Seattle, Washington

12 / 2005 - two-person show, Holiday Show
Doggie Style, Seattle, Washington

11 / 2005 - solo show, Recent Paintings
Starbucks Coffee House, Seattle, Washington

09 / 2005 - two-person show, Familiar Light
Windows Art Gallery, Seattle, Washington

05 / 1999 through 05 / 2003
ARTES Gallery, Espanola, New Mexico

08 / 1999 through 10 / 2002
Good Hands Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

05 / 2001 - two-person show, The Synergy of Dichotomy
ARTES Gallery, Espanola, New Mexico

07 / 2000 - group show, Contemporary Traditions
Good Hands Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

12 / 1998 through 04 / 1999 - Seattle Art Museum Exhibition
Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Seattle, Washington

07 / 1998 - two-person show, Up Close and Colorful
Daniel Smith Art Gallery, Seattle, Washington

06 / 1997 - Senior Design Exhibition
Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, Washington

Awards

01 / 2006 - Second Place Award, pastels
2006 National Cover Contest Dakota Art Pastels

10 / 2000 - First Place Award, pastels
Epanola Arts Festival

10 / 1999 - First Place Award, pastels
Epanola Arts Festival