BIO
=Jennifer Swan Hopkins=
BIO
What They Say: Impelled by the artists in her family and encouraged by those inspired and touched by her work, entrepreneur, artist, and author Jennifer Swan Hopkins opened two on-line businesses and began selling her art, literature, and functional pieces to the retail market in 2007.
A Minnesota native, her work can be found throughout North America, Australia and the UK. She offers a unique alliance of art, writing, and function. Original ideas become a unique and beautiful expression; forgotten bits of history or legend are reincarnated through her charming interpretations and find their way onto canvases, wall hangings, shades, books and boxes. Her mixed media pieces feature techniques incorporating assemblage, canvas work, collage, altered art, writing, and pure creative energy.
What I Say: I was influenced by illustrators, artists (my family holds a more than a few), folk-lore, faerie tales, canonical literature, art, educators, nature, and history. From these complex constituents comes a glimpse into this artist's very heart. As each story is revealed, and I weave my passion, positive energy, and purpose into every unique piece; my commitment to the whole, this deeply personal involvement and spiritual connection is what sets my work, in whatever medium, apart.
I am passionate and possessed by what I do; I love it!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
FABRIC COLLAGE
This art form, described by some as "Soft Painting", is essentially a layering of fabric pieces to produce the effects the artist wants to achieve. Then, these shapes are sewn to a background fabric.
In my work, I have taken this basic expression to a much more personal place. Hand dying, painting, stamping, image transferring, inking, and aging techniques bring depth and richness to my pieces. In addition to fabric, other mediums are also employed. Handmade papers, corrugated cardboard, rusted bits, tatted or crocheted items, repurposed, recycled, and natural components may be included. Embellishing from a variety of sources enriches and enhances the design elements and patterns of the collage, and an assortment of stitches are used to strengthen textural qualities.
Most of the images I use are from the public domain. Resurrected to live again and to be presented to the contemporary public through my work, they are reborn in each piece.
ASSEMBLAGES
Often referred to as assemblage art, mixed media includes, but are not limited to collage, altered books, altered objects, and so on, using a wide variety of mediums and unusual supplies. Each medium has its own capabilities and limitations; combined, the media often complement each other. Successfully creating this complementary and pleasing result, is how I produce my art.
Inspired by the possibilities and "what if's" I ponder, I often begin by mentally writing a story inspired by an image, lore, or a random thought. This is translated onto a magical, 3-dimensional plane, and is further fleshed out by the accoutrements I often provide or offer for sale.
SHADES
No two are alike, and when describing my shades I say they are "artfully handcrafted", useful items. In other words, they fall under the category of "decorative arts".
To create my beautiful art shades I employ some of the same techniques as in my canvas work, fabric collage wall hangings, and assemblages. Fabric, acrylics, foil; reclaimed, found or new items produce the effects I envision and want to achieve. While there are often print fabrics used, I also utilize aging, painting, inking, chalking, hand dying, and image transferring techniques, sometimes completing them with unexpected objects.
CANVAS WORK
Utilizing many of the techniques above, my canvases proclaim my free spirit through expressive abstract imagery as well as natural study. I love the naughty juxtaposition of contrasting dissimilar subjects or themes and yet find the combination of well-matched thoughts pleasing too. Not wanting to limit myself, but rather wanting to push my comfort zone past boundaries has me exploring everything from spray paint to bitumen!
LITERATURE
It is no coincidence I think, that my poetic nature crosses over from one medium to another with an effortless quality and a comfortable cohesiveness. This all began with a deep, abiding love of the written word. In almost every piece I create, a story line runs through my mind as I work. At some point, I begin forming a story in my head and then write it down.
I've taken the time to publish three faerie tales to date, plus a compilation of the three into one, Trine. At this writing I have at least four others in different stages, plus the body of work from my songs, poems, and thoughts.
Briefly:
►I create mixed media art.
►I write faerie tales.
►I make beautiful, useful objects like night lights, tissue cozies and treasure boxes.
►I end up with supplies, extra bits, great stuff.
►I sell all of the above.
What They Say: Impelled by the artists in her family and encouraged by those inspired and touched by her work, entrepreneur, artist, and author Jennifer Swan Hopkins opened two on-line businesses and began selling her art, literature, and functional pieces to the retail market in 2007.
A Minnesota native, her work can be found throughout North America, Australia and the UK. She offers a unique alliance of art, writing, and function. Original ideas become a unique and beautiful expression; forgotten bits of history or legend are reincarnated through her charming interpretations and find their way onto canvases, wall hangings, shades, books and boxes. Her mixed media pieces feature techniques incorporating assemblage, canvas work, collage, altered art, writing, and pure creative energy.
What I Say: I was influenced by illustrators, artists (my family holds a more than a few), folk-lore, faerie tales, canonical literature, art, educators, nature, and history. From these complex constituents comes a glimpse into this artist's very heart. As each story is revealed, and I weave my passion, positive energy, and purpose into every unique piece; my commitment to the whole, this deeply personal involvement and spiritual connection is what sets my work, in whatever medium, apart.
I am passionate and possessed by what I do; I love it!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
FABRIC COLLAGE
This art form, described by some as "Soft Painting", is essentially a layering of fabric pieces to produce the effects the artist wants to achieve. Then, these shapes are sewn to a background fabric.
In my work, I have taken this basic expression to a much more personal place. Hand dying, painting, stamping, image transferring, inking, and aging techniques bring depth and richness to my pieces. In addition to fabric, other mediums are also employed. Handmade papers, corrugated cardboard, rusted bits, tatted or crocheted items, repurposed, recycled, and natural components may be included. Embellishing from a variety of sources enriches and enhances the design elements and patterns of the collage, and an assortment of stitches are used to strengthen textural qualities.
Most of the images I use are from the public domain. Resurrected to live again and to be presented to the contemporary public through my work, they are reborn in each piece.
ASSEMBLAGES
Often referred to as assemblage art, mixed media includes, but are not limited to collage, altered books, altered objects, and so on, using a wide variety of mediums and unusual supplies. Each medium has its own capabilities and limitations; combined, the media often complement each other. Successfully creating this complementary and pleasing result, is how I produce my art.
Inspired by the possibilities and "what if's" I ponder, I often begin by mentally writing a story inspired by an image, lore, or a random thought. This is translated onto a magical, 3-dimensional plane, and is further fleshed out by the accoutrements I often provide or offer for sale.
SHADES
No two are alike, and when describing my shades I say they are "artfully handcrafted", useful items. In other words, they fall under the category of "decorative arts".
To create my beautiful art shades I employ some of the same techniques as in my canvas work, fabric collage wall hangings, and assemblages. Fabric, acrylics, foil; reclaimed, found or new items produce the effects I envision and want to achieve. While there are often print fabrics used, I also utilize aging, painting, inking, chalking, hand dying, and image transferring techniques, sometimes completing them with unexpected objects.
CANVAS WORK
Utilizing many of the techniques above, my canvases proclaim my free spirit through expressive abstract imagery as well as natural study. I love the naughty juxtaposition of contrasting dissimilar subjects or themes and yet find the combination of well-matched thoughts pleasing too. Not wanting to limit myself, but rather wanting to push my comfort zone past boundaries has me exploring everything from spray paint to bitumen!
LITERATURE
It is no coincidence I think, that my poetic nature crosses over from one medium to another with an effortless quality and a comfortable cohesiveness. This all began with a deep, abiding love of the written word. In almost every piece I create, a story line runs through my mind as I work. At some point, I begin forming a story in my head and then write it down.
I've taken the time to publish three faerie tales to date, plus a compilation of the three into one, Trine. At this writing I have at least four others in different stages, plus the body of work from my songs, poems, and thoughts.
Briefly:
►I create mixed media art.
►I write faerie tales.
►I make beautiful, useful objects like night lights, tissue cozies and treasure boxes.
►I end up with supplies, extra bits, great stuff.
►I sell all of the above.
= Jennifer Swan Hopkins =
Stores: StudioCygne.us * MaidenShade.com
Blog: InThrees.net
Email: iam@MaidenShade.com
239.980.0799 (please leave a message)
You may find her other enchanting items at her store StudioCygne.com,
her blog MaidenShade.net, as well as at the Dunedin Fine Art Center,
MaidenShade on: FaceBook, Etsy, Blurb, Bonanza, Stylehive, and at local shows and art fairs.
Stores: StudioCygne.us * MaidenShade.com
Blog: InThrees.net
Email: iam@MaidenShade.com
239.980.0799 (please leave a message)
You may find her other enchanting items at her store StudioCygne.com,
her blog MaidenShade.net, as well as at the Dunedin Fine Art Center,
MaidenShade on: FaceBook, Etsy, Blurb, Bonanza, Stylehive, and at local shows and art fairs.
