Episode 59-Laura Tryon Jennings, oil painter from Marshfield, MA
Artist Statement
The underlying theme of the majority of my paintings is the tension between chaos and tranquility. Much of my work projects a feeling of calmness, peacefulness, and enlightenment that hopefully causes the viewer to pause, look, and focus on the art and serenity within the moments of everyday life while there is some part of the painting reflecting there is a messy part of life swirling around the quiet scenes. I yearn to reflect the message we ought to take time from our hectic pace to reflect, treasure life’s simplicity, if only for a moment. I find the complexity and intricacy of life and relationships intriguing and try to capture those feelings in my paintings. Each series has its own particular focus. For example the Bedroom Series explores allusions of provoking, expectation, and power with particular focus on the power and authenticity which encompasses being vulnerable. The Cereal Series evokes a different feeling with a subtle innuendo playing out in each background pattern. The entire series captures the essence of family and fleeting morning moments, rendering a simple and quiet image belying lives that are never quite still. Throughout the series I use coffee cups, cereal bowls and assorted found materials as metaphors, reminding us of these smaller moments that are meaningful, but sometimes go unnoticed; of reflective mornings; and of course, fond childhood memories of your favorite cereal.
As a New England artist and avid colorist, my color palette has developed and evolved from strong seasonal and coastal influences offering a distinctive blend of hues and range of moods. My perspective is achieved by physically viewing objects or my subjects as though I am looking down at a puzzle, and connecting the shapes, that don’t appear to fit, but somehow work to complete a scene. I enjoy the use of both large and small canvases. My large canvas work allows me to be more physical and heighten the focus of objects and subjects within while my small canvas work allows for a more intimate, gem-like outcome. These influences and techniques combined with a lifelong passion result in my interpretation and expression of some of life’s magnetic moments.
https://www.instagram.com/laura_tryon_jennings/