Featured Artist of the Month: R. Jenkins

paintings by: R. Jenkins

SayWhatNews featured artist of the month is R. Jenkins. With years of natural talent Jenkins has become an artist who can dream and visualize with the stroke of a brush. Jenkins can embody true emotions by creating an abstract/contemporary painting that speaks volumes off the canvas. Jenkins master pieces are never boring, by using bright colors and unique patterns her art stands out from the rest.

SayWhatNews spoke with R. Jenkins to get her take on her creations:

SayWhatNews: When did you first discover your talents as an abstract artist?

R. Jenkins: Various projects in kindergarten led to a fascination of all things art. Interactive, bright and customizable were my thoughts. What can I do next, what would make my work different and how could I take it to the next level. Having the ability to dream and visualize outside of the given directions as a child prepared my artistry for its future. At present I follow no rules, pay no attention to classification and just create in an abstract manner.

SayWhatNews: What is your inspiration?

R. Jenkins: I have many inspirations that are and have been a driving force to the works I have completed as well as the directions I am headed in the future. My beautiful family, the desire to succeed and the having the ability to educate the youth through empowering organizations are the thoughts that fuel the dedication I have to my artistry. My heritage, our nation's struggles, politics and equality are among the other inspiring factors that inspire my originality, depth and innovation.

SayWhatNews: Have you had any formal training?

R. Jenkins: No.

SayWhatNews: You paint a lot of Contemporary work; what other kinds of art do you paint/create?

R. Jenkins: Most of the paintings that I create are abstract and contemporary, this is my preferred style. I used mixed mediums when painting, including various paper types, metal hardware and other miscellaneous objects. I have collections, series and special edition art that focus on specific themes and subjects. Many pieces incorporate positive messages of empowerment, growth and success. SayWhatNews: Why do you refer to yourself as a visual artist?

R. Jenkins: There are many facets to my artistry, including mediums that span from acrylic on canvas to design software - all visual. A combination of media that encompasses color, angle, view, depth, placement, and balance are each given a specific detail. Each detail is expanded to create perception.

SayWhatNews: If one is interested in purchasing one of your paintings, how do they go about it?

R. Jenkins: My paintings can be purchased at www.AcrylicOnCanvas.com. Upcoming shows, exhibits and current galleries that my work can be found at posted and can also be can also be found there. R. Jenkins Website

Someone's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure

Within a few months of each other two famous Australian Artists paintings were found by two totally different Texan housewives in Texas. Neither woman could have ever predicted that their purchases could have revealed two hidden treasures.

Back in August a Grace Cossington Smith painting “Wild Flowers with White Corals” was purchased for $25.00 at an antique market in Texas. It was later discovered that the painting is worth up to $45,000.

Just this month (November) a John Coburn painting “Solstice” was purchased for $45.00. The buyer decided to research the painting and learned that it is worth $20,000. The Sydney Morning Herald interviewed the buyer:

Sydney Morning Herald report/interview:

Kay Gray paid $US45 for the semi-abstract painting, took it home and displayed it with her collection of modern pottery. On a whim, she did an internet search on the name written on the back of the wooden frame.

"When I Googled John Coburn, up popped all these beautiful paintings and all I could think was 'Oh my God'," she says. "I thought it was a nice piece and well painted, but I sure never thought it could be by someone famous." She contacted an Australian art consultant and broker, David Hulme, who recognized it immediately as Coburn's work. "The signature is pretty distinctive, and the texture of the paint and the style of the work is also very Coburn. Then there's the inscription on the back with his address at the time clearly written," he says. "It's definitely legitimate and a very exciting find."

Hulme gave the painting a market value of $20,000 and advised Gray and her husband to insure it for $30,000. "But if it came up for auction it could do even better because it's an unknown work and it's turned up in such unusual circumstances," he says. Despite the estimated sale price, Gray plans to keep the painting for the next few years. "We probably will sell it at some point, but I really do like it, so I think we'll hang onto it right now," she says. "Whenever we sell, I guess I'll make my $45 back."

Its Totally Paper

The mind can unravel many things but there are many who wonder and question the secret technique of Origami Art. This ancient art form has come back to life in a more descriptive form in the film “Between the Folds – Origami Art”. Never before has anyone studied the world of Origami Art and tried until now. I came across the work of Giang Dinh. This artist has made some amazing Origami Art of faces, people and animals. The perfect fold can create a master piece.

Synopsis for “Between the Folds” from art blogs:

"Between The Folds" uncovers the stories of 10 fine artists, intrepid mathematicians and theoretical scientists who have abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees - all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paper folders. As these eccentric and provocative characters converge on the unlikely medium of origami, they reinvent an ancient art, and demonstrate the innumerable ways that creativity and ingenuity come to bear as they struggle to understand and honor the world around them. The film paints an arresting portrait of the mysterious artistic and scientific threads that bind these exceptional minds, bringing forth a rare mix of sensibilities towards art, expressiveness, interpretation, and meaning.

Hope - Change - Future

photo: Denver Gallery

(click on photo to go to website)

The “Manifest Hope” exhibition of art was inspired by Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. This comes at a time when we as a people are in search of hope and change. Is Obama the “Hope Icon” that America has been thriving for? In desperate times people look for positive and inspirational forms of change. Can art reflect that or/and provide us an artistic visual to give a better perspective on things? Only you yourself can answer those questions. So take a look and decide.

Fait of the Diamond Skull

photo: anthropology.net

The fait of the Diamond encrusted skull is currently up in the air. According to Damien Hirst the artist, the skull will be sold at auction if it does not find a buyer. Currently the Diamond skull can be seen at Rijks Museum in Amsterdam; which is the first stop in a proposal global tour.

The skull is believed to be a cast of a skeleton of man who lived between 1720 and 1810. Damien Hirst created the life size cast named “For the Love of God” diamond encrusted/jeweled skull in platinum, covered in 8,601 pave set diamonds with a total weight of 1,106.18 carats. The single diamond in the middle of the forehead is estimated at $4.2 million. The skull is estimated to be worth some where between the amounts of $50 - $100 million.

The diamond skull was first displayed in the exhibition art “Beyond Belief” at the White Cube in June 2007.

Investor Pulls Back on "Irrevocable Bid"

The art world was shocked today in New York when an unknown investor who originally agreed to place an “irrevocable bid” on Edward Munch’s painting "Vampire, 1894" at Sotheby’s sale of Impressionist and Modern Art. A source say’s the investor changed he/she mind because they got cold feet.

When Sotheby rep was asked about this, they denied there was ever an “irrevocable bid” agreement on the art work sale catalogue. The estimated sell was $30 million.