“Artistry was always present in my youth. I loved making art, but was overwhelmed by generational and gendered pressure to live a certain version of my life. I went the expected route; married at 19, started having children young, and was pressured to find a career within corporate America tending to the needs of others, always. However 10 years ago, I finally decided to walk away from the corporate world, choose myself, and care for my inner child, the artist.  

Each of the figurative paintings I am submitting was created after I started experiencing double-vision daily, which, oddly, helped open my mind to using a CMYK palette to create colors. A background in commercial printing exposed me to the this process, and I like to break down my paintings into these layers of color. I complete this breakdown in my mind, with no computer aids, and it still thrills me to see the depth evolve as the layers go down.”

Jean has had no formal art training, but has been fortunate to work with many talented Kansas City artists who have helped shape her vision and her work. She has exhibited throughout the Kansas City area, nationally, and has been in two International exhibits.