DIXON  – The Crystal Cork Art Quarterly presents its eighth quarterly show, “Sojourn”, a series of paintings by artist, Jayne Rose.  Opening reception is Saturday, May 8, 6 – 8 p.m. at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 West First Street, Dixon, IL, Free. 815-285-3496.   The show runs May 8, 2010 – August 1, 2010.  

In a short ten years, Jayne Rose has amassed substantial recognition for her painting capturing numerous Best of Shows at the Phidian Art Show , The Grand DeTour Fine Arts Fair, and The Next Picture Show.  In 2004 her work was accepted into the Rockford Art Museum’s, “Emerging Artists of Rockford” show.  Jayne has a long history of sharing her talents participating in many area benefits and in working with children using her art.  In 2008, she was presented with the 2008 Illinois Alliance for Art Education Artist of the Year award at the Capitol Rotunda in Springfield.

Born in Mendota, Illinois, Jayne studied Commercial and Graphic Arts at Southern Illinois University and Los Angeles Trade Technical College.  While in Los Angeles, Jayne worked at an advertising agency as a Media Coordinator and Graphic Designer.  Back in the Midwest, Jayne worked in both administrative and management positions at publishing houses before joining IBM in Connecticut and Raleigh, NC working in both administrative and graphics design fields.

In 2000, Jayne went back to her first love, oil and acrylic painting.  While pursuing a reconnection with her art, she worked part time for a graphics / website design firm while volunteering for several arts groups. During the last few years, Jayne has added workshop instructor, mural painting, and web/brochure design to her many duties.

“Sojourn” is a series of paintings, largely representational (with leanings towards impressionism) based on observations of Jayne’s surroundings, in landscapes, florals, and human studies.  She paints in saturated color with heavy emphasis on light, color, and shadows.  As Jayne states, “My digital camera and I are on the constant prowl for early morning or late afternoon shadows”.  The lush florals she creates in both still lifes and landscapes come from her own gardens and those who live around her.  Living in the Midwest gives her plenty of subjects, from rural to city scenes.   

On her work Jayne states, “The quest to understand the nuances of nature inspires me to keep searching and growing in this craft.  I’ve just started using acrylics in order to paint more quickly.  Painting quickly has been a trademark of mine and using other mediums has broadened my horizons.  My vision will continue to change as my life and the lives around me change.”

The Crystal Cork Art Quarterly is a cooperative endeavor between the people at The Crystal Cork, Trein’s Jewelry, Tangibles, and Distinctive Gardens.  With a strong historical community tradition supporting the arts, we add to the existing culture by providing a visual arts venue offering quarterly exhibitions of area and regional artists.  Information online at: www.distinctivegardensinc.com/ccaq.html