Featured Artist Jean Wilder

It's never too early for Autumn and Jean Ellen's work reminds me of this harvest season with it's selection of reds and oranges, and misty mood portrayed through the beautiful Lift and Transfer techniques she uses.

Jean Ellen Wilder became a gypsy at age five, when her Navy dad was transferred from San Diego to Bainbridge Island.  Every couple of years the family was relocated - to Washington, D.C., Honolulu, Long Island, Yokohama.  
 
As a young adult, Florida, Alabama and Georgia became home.  Then, in 1976, Jean Ellen, her two teenagers, the Irish Setter, and Calico Cat headed West, settling in Flagstaff, Arizona for ten years.  When she obtained her degree from Northern Arizona University, in Art History with a special interest in Photography as an art form, she moved back to San Diego and worked as Director of Education at the Museum of Photographic Arts, in Balboa Park, for seven years.  Upon retirement two years ago, Jean Ellen returned to Arizona and lives in Cottonwood.

 Creation of works using these processes now has a limited life span due to the film becoming more and more scarce.  Each original image is unique and many have been reproduced using the Giclee process. 

Two of the photographic processes Jean Ellen is most drawn to are Polaroid Transfers and Emulsion Lifts. She taught quarterly workshops in these processes for thirteen years at UCSD's Crafts Center. Using peel-apart Polaroid film, the "Transfers" make use of the 'negative' side of the film, transferring the image to art papers and/or fabrics. The final appearance is like a blend of photograph and painting.

The "Lifts" are made from a fully developed 'positive' image which is placed in hot water and lifted off the original backing; it can then be placed on a variety of surfaces such as glass, wood, paper, fabric and metal.  Images can be combined with other images as layered, torn, or folded upon themselves . . . one can push the boundaries and be endlessly creative. 

 

 

 

Thank you to all who joined us for our Artist Reception and 1-Year Anniversary of The Annabel Inn

You did a great job of enjoying the Art... and the Mulled Cider & Wine, Roast Turkey with Olive & Fig, and Pie & Tart

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