Mandala

Product Description

Mandala by Jaclyn Alderete

18″ x 14″, 21.25″ x 17.25″ x 0.75″, Oil on Board

Current Exhibition at Flower Pepper Gallery:
LA Art Show 2016
Booth 732
Littletopia curated by Red Truck Gallery

Los Angeles Convention Center/West Hall A
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Wednesday, January 27th, 2016 8 pm – 11 pm Opening Night Premiere Party
Thursday, January 28th, 2016 11 am – 7 pm General Admission
Friday, January 29th, 2016 11 am – 7 pm General Admission
Saturday, January 30th, 2016 11 am – 7 pm General Admission
Sunday, January 31st, 2016 11 am – 5 pm General Admission

Previous Exhibitions at Flower Pepper Gallery:
- 4th Year Anniversary Show from December 19th, 2015 to January 19th, 2016
- Foliage from September 5th to October 6th, 2015
- Syncopated: Four Audio Tribes from March 7th to April 7th, 2015
- 3rd Year Anniversary Show from December 6th, 2014 to January 6th, 2015
- The Brave Ones from Oct 10th to Nov 5th, 2014
- Of History And Hope from April 5th to May 2nd, 2014

Artist Biography:
Jaclyn Alderete was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her passion for art began at a young age. She began using oil paint as a teenager, soon discovering its expressive quality both a challenge and catalyst for further exploration. After moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2001, her interest in nature led her to draw connections between the natural world and the human experience. Through artistic enquiry, she found the resiliency in the power of both nature and humanity to overcome tribulations. Instead of focusing on shortcomings and the inevitable impediments to the human journey, she illustrates that flaws can lead to novel paths of understanding.

Using her figurative depictions and expressive brush strokes to convey the uniquely human spectrum of emotion, she further commands the impression of the viewer through painterly techniques which serve to unsettle the composition. Subjects are often simultaneously distinct from, and merged with, their environments, as part of the figure or background are blurred while other parts are clearly defined. Accompanying her inquisitive and thoughtful figures is multi-faceted symbolism. Among her favorite subjects are birds, insects, fish, flowers, plants, and moving water. Many represent empathy, fragility, vision, and our ever-changing existence. Her use of a broad and muted palette along with powerful contrasts produces a deeply contemplative quality, which, when interrupted by brief flashes of color, informs the viewer’s perception of the motif.

Jaclyn has shown in galleries nationwide, and continues to create art on a daily basis. Her hunger for understanding and interest in the strange and beautiful serve as her impulse to further develop her metier.

Artist Website: http://jaclynalderete.com/home.html

Artist Interview with Flower Pepper Gallery on Jan 10th, 2016:
- How would you describe your own artwork?

Messy, impressionistic, figurative.

- Is there a story behind the painting?

I wanted to paint something that speaks to the feelings of renewal and hope that come at the start of a new year. “Light as a Feather” refers to the cyclical pattern and stages we go through when something ends and something else begins, as we feel a heavy weight being lifted.

“Mandala” has to do with focus and direction, which I’ve learned this year is something I can harness well. I guess this was my way of celebrating that new discovery.

- What inspired you to create this painting? Or what kinds of things inspire your work?

My inspiration changes everyday as my experiences change, but I always attempt to capture the moments or feelings accompanying those experiences as we stumble through life’s challenges and gifts.

- Can you talk about your creative process?

Even though I always start with an idea in mind, I don’t often plan every detail of a painting. My original idea can change or evolve and new ideas always find their way into each piece. Once I know the general layout I will usually photograph my model and takes tons of photos. With the layout and photos ready, I am able to start.

- Who is your favorite artist?

That is a tough question! I love any artist who isn’t afraid to change, and who is always surprising you.

- What’s one thing we should know about you?

I have a soft spot for animals in need and I love my rescue cat and two birds.

- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was always drawing as a child, but I never thought being an artist was a job option. So, for a short period I wanted to be an attorney, probably because someone told me I liked to argue, then once I realized that I analyze everything, I wanted to be a psychologist and was even taking steps to study it in college. That was right before I started immersing myself in painting.

- Coffee or tea?

These days, tea.

Additional Information