"There’s a strong luminous presence that unfolds into a deep space of calm that explores the idea of a clearing - a light filled area of spaciousness in the woods surrounded by luscious growth."
Eleanor Harwood Gallery is pleased to present "Into the Light" a solo show by Janet Jacobs. Many of the works were exhibited at Gallery Commonweal in Bolinas, CA in 2020. The exhibit coincided with the Covid lockdown and not many people were able to see these works in person. It's our pleasure to re-present these paintings as well as introduce her newer works.
In more recent paintings Jacobs has moved towards a further abstracted style of painting, though the content, paint strokes and gestures remain familiar.
Janet Jacobs has deep roots in the Bay Area where she has a rich history. After growing up in San Francisco she received a BFA in Drawing and Printmaking from the California College of the Arts and an MFA in Sculpture and Painting from Mills College. She will be having a solo exhibition at the Holter Museum of Art (Helena, Montana) in August and another at Dominican University of California in the summer of 2028.
Place is a vital part of Ms. Jacobs’ work. In painting the nature surrounding her she comes to know it and herself in it. “Repeatedly being in the landscape connects me to place visually, physically, personally and temporally.” In these times of global change it is the artist’s intention to share her belief in the importance of connection to one’s immediate environment where we can find a sense of peace, and a love for holding all that is right here.
We see the artist’s hand in the delightful and energetic marks that lead us through her landscapes. She uses oil paint like watercolor, applying multiple transparent washes like light coming through the thinnest layers of tissue paper. There’s a strong luminous presence that unfolds into a deep space of calm that explores the idea of a clearing - a light filled area of spaciousness in the woods surrounded by luscious growth. The artist is painting the essence of light as it moves through our natural environment, leaving us with a message for healing in our world.
