Wildwood Student Exhibits in “Small Works Invitational”

Jo Jasper Dean, a student artist at St. Louis Community College at Wildwood, is exhibiting in the “Small Works Invitational” at Duane Reed Art Gallery, 4729 McPherson Ave. in St. Louis, Mo. The exhibit runs June 24  through July 30.

Dean is one of approximately 60 artists invited to participate in this exhibit. 

Her works are titled, “Glowing Lily” and “Curious Zebra.” Like all of the works in this show, hers fit within a 14”x14” square. 

“I’ve been a fan of the Duane Reed Gallery for many years, so I was thrilled to receive an invitation to exhibit my work,” she said. “When I asked Duane if he had a preference for my subject matter, the answer was to paint anything I wanted as long as it was ‘colorful’, so that’s exactly what I did.”

Consistent with her current style, Dean turned to nature for inspiration when creating her art. 

“Nature fascinates me. Everywhere I look, I see unique treasures that jump out at me, speak to me, move me and inspire me,” she said. “My paintings focus on a dramatic close-up that invite the viewer to step inside the scene and feel the same emotional connection I experience with my subject.”

For these and all of her paintings, Dean utilizes a variety of artistic techniques.

“I enjoy pairing a centuries old technique of a detailed grisaille under paint to depict the reality of my subject, and I use an imaginative color palette of saturated amplified colors to create interest,” she explained. “By applying these exhilarating colors and using lively expressive brushstrokes, I strive to express and accentuate the energy and movement I feel in nature.”

Find out more about her art.