Lavender & Peppermint

39th Annual Pilsen East Artists’ Open House | Sept 25-27, 2009

jenrosenthal — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:13:00 +0000

Join me this weekend as the Chicago Arts District kicks off its 39th annual “Pilsen Artwalk”. I’ll have recent work on display at the Chicago Art Department (on the main floor, and in the upstairs residents’ gallery), and have reduced most of my prices for this weekend only. $CORE!! Be seeing you…

Opening Night: Friday, September 25th | 6-10pm
Open Studios/Garden Walk: Saturday & Sunday, September 26th & 27th | 12-7pm
1837 S. Halsted | Chicago, IL | 60608

Featured on The Artsighter

jenrosenthal — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:20:00 +0000

I’m honored to be included on artist/writer Dana Hanegraaf’s new blog The Artsighter. Dana has a keen eye for all things arty & fashionable and is helping shed some light on Chicago’s newest emerging creative talents. Check out the post here. A million thanks, Dana.

Growing Up CAD 2009 – Art Auction & Fundraiser 8/15/09

jenrosenthal — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:46:00 +0000

On Saturday, August 15th, the Chicago Art Department will hold its 3rd annual “Growing Up CAD” fundraiser. My involvement with CAD is a labor of love. Throughout the past 4 years, CAD has allowed me the opportunity and freedom to explore my voice as an artist while ensuring a consistent dialogue with an ever growing audience and robust artist network. CAD has helped me grow, and in return I’ve dedicated myself to the growth of CAD.

Your support can help make the following things possible:

Maintaining our flagship location at 1837 S. Halsted – which has become a staple and regular stop in Pilsen.
The opening of “CAD West” – an expansion to a 2nd location in West Town, dedicated solely to studio space and the making of art. (This will also be the new location for future CAD classes)
Expanding our Residency Program – over the next year, we will be more than doubling our artist residency from 8 to 20+.
Even more exhibitions – with the opening of CAD West, CAD Pilsen will shift its primary focus to exhibitions, expanding our events calendar beyond the usual ’2nd Fridays’ thus providing more opportunities for artists to exhibit
Upgrades, Upgrades, Upgrades – while our DIY aesthetic has always been a part of our charm, we would love to keep improving the space with things like repairing our walls, new lighting, and amenities.

I’m donating Control #1 to the art auction. This was the first piece I made for my most recent collection, Control. A special piece for a special night…

Growing Up CAD 2009
3rd Annual Art Auction & Fundraiser
DATE: Saturday August 15, 2009
TIME: 6 – 10PM
LOCATION: 1837 S. Halsted
TICKETS: $20 donation online or @ the door
Art Auction Preview Night: ’2nd Friday’ August 14th, 6 – 10PM
Can’t make it to the fundraiser? Consider an online donation in any amount… DONATE NOW!

Work in "The Lab"

jenrosenthal — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:45:00 +0000

I have a few pieces up in “The Lab” @ Simone’s Bar in Pilsen. Check it out if you’re in the ‘hood — 960 W. 18th St. (Through 8/14/09)

Contextualizing Control – An Interview

jenrosenthal — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:24:00 +0000

Recently, Columbia College journalism student Michael Pedraza interviewed me for a classroom assignment. While the article will not be published, I wanted to include his questions with my responses here, as I feel like what transpired helps contextualize what went into the making of my recent collection, “control.” Please excuse my lack of editing…seriously.

MP: Where did the idea come from for this show? What was your inspiration?

Well, honestly…it’s been a tough couple of months. …For everyone, really. I think this collection of work was developed more out of sheer necessity than by something I was inspired by. This past fall I found myself really succumbing to the panic, fear, uncertainty, despair, etc. that was beating us about the brow via the economic crisis, non-stop political punditry, war, corporate greed, mother nature’s wrath, etc. In addition to all the external negativity and global suffering, I was personally wrestling with my own internal strife. Joblessness, self-doubt, depression, apathy. In December I turned 30 and all of a sudden I found myself completely lost. Questioning all the decisions I’d made that have led me to where I’m at currently, i.e. professionally, artistically, personally. Where was I headed? What was I doing? …Ya know, the big life altering stuff. I felt like I was at a crossroads.

I had all these loose concepts & metaphors floating around in my head, but couldn’t formulate them into something I felt was cohesive or that wouldn’t come off sounding trite. For me, my art is all about the process. It’s like my meditation, my Zen. I turned to this body of work to relieve my anxieties and to help me get my head straight. Not unlike therapy. I just started “doing” and the theme emerged unexpectedly. My work is primarily about the internal discovery/journey and the exploration of the dualities of life and Self. It wasn’t until I re-read a journal entry from 3 years ago that I realized I’m still tripping over my own feet. I still have all these control issues I thought were resolved. It was insane to realize that here I was again, learning to just let go of the things I cannot control, and take the reins on the stuff I can. You gotta pick and choose your battles, ya know.

MP: Why do most of the pieces have only black, white, and red designs? Why not other colors?

Well, most of my work is primarily b&w. I just like the aesthetic…the simplicity and minimalist quality. Perhaps it’s the ultimate duality? My previous solo show was all b&w as well, but with accents of serene green. Examples. This collection is more aggressive and raw. I was no longer in a tranquil state of mind. It was like literally tearing into myself.

MP: Why are there mostly harsh strokes/patterns?

It was my way of giving into control. Letting out my anger and stress. Something satisfying about throwing ink on paper and letting it splatter and run. Shaking the paper violently to get these streaks to go here and there. These things never occurred to me before. My previous work has been so exact and meticulous… not until recently did I realized it seems a little inhuman, like a computer made it. This time around I just let it go. Let go of the control. Funny enough, someone recently told me I was just too nice. Mess it up a little. Let it out. I suppose I was angry about that comment. I channeled it. It was my punching bag.

MP: Were these patterns made with calculations and measurements or were they made at random? Could you explain why you made them the way you did?

Nothing was planned out ahead of time. I just went for it. I suppose I touched on that in the last question. Though, the outlines were deliberate; that’s where I took back control. Working my way around the splatters and drips. That’s the balance. I’m constantly striving for balance…my center.

MP: You had two large pieces and many small ones. Why are most of them small and what were you trying to accomplish with the big two?

The two big ones were late additions. They’re actually just scaled versions of two originals. I was feeling inspired by the last show the Chicago Art Department put on with new resident artist Abraham Velazquez and his Tripa Colectivo crew. They all worked on this huge graffiti mural inside the space and since my work is so small and intimate, I just wanted to try and work large scale for a change. It was a nice change of pace. They kinda became billboards of sorts. Looks good in the window from afar.

MP: Everyone feels different things when they look at art but what emotions were you expressing in this work?

Fear & Hope. Uncertainty & Freedom. Lightness & Weight.

MP: The average person might only see what’s in front of them. What do you want them to see?

I want them to see their own story in the work. I want them to come to some realization or “Aha” moment when some connection to their own truth is made.

MP: What do you call the art you made?

Hmm… Maybe, The Rosenthal Effect? It blew my mind when I stumbled upon this discovery a few years ago. It may only make sense to me, or perhaps I’m assigning more to it than coincidence, but there is such an effect, which basically translates into the basis of self-fulfilling prophecies…AND I obsess over self-fulfilling prophecies. …And my dad’s name was Robert Rosenthal (though he was not the aforementioned psychologist.) …And none of this really matters, I know. I digress.

MP: Some of the pieces have layers. Why did you make these and what steps did you take to make them? How long did it take to make a layered piece and a non-layer piece?

In this collection, the layers are a way to hide & reveal certain “details.” For example, there are several pieces that have small cutouts and underneath lay the circle motif from my previous collection, “returning”. I’m giving the viewer a peek at something from my past, while continuing to move forward with my work. It’s a reminder in a way to never forget where I’ve been. Also, I enjoy pulling the viewer into the work. I’m hoping to entice people to look within…look a little deeper.

The time it took to make the layered pieces varied. For example, “control. #77” a piece that has a huge “rip” that’s hand stitched diagonally took much more time than the piece with small cutouts and no stitching. It’s hard to assign an actual amount of time to a lot of the pieces, as they were all essentially started at once, then fine-tuned little by little. I was constantly working and reworking, adding and subtracting almost every piece up until the show.

MP: All of the pieces might look the same to certain people. What did you do to give each one a unique feel?

I think the unique feel came from the sense of letting the ink flow where it wanted. Given that process, it was almost guaranteed to not end up with the same look twice. I also tried to not have a “formula” that said, “ok, now you have the splatter…there must be this many lines that follow in only this certain area, etc.” I tried to just give in to the process. Try a little bit of everything.

MP: How were you able to present at the Chicago Art Department?

I’ve been involved with the Chicago Art Department for 4 years. I began as a “student” and just never left. I’m currently a resident artist and director of development. CAD is a non-profit and my labor of love. No one makes money off of CAD…the 8 resident artists all financially support the gallery and all it’s programming out of their own pockets. Besides being a part of a massively vibrant art community, one of the biggest perks is that you get one 2nd Friday show a year that you can do what you will with, be it a solo show, curating, etc.

MP: When can people see your work at the Chicago Art Department?

Every 2nd Friday of each month in our permanent resident artists’ gallery upstairs in the back loft.

MP: What’s your next goal/project?

I’ve spent 4 wonderful years experimenting, dabbling in different mediums, and exhibiting at the Chicago Art Department. CAD has given me the freedom to develop my voice as an artist and garner a solid audience who have gotten to know me and my work. My next goal is to start exhibiting in other galleries around town and in other cities. I’m also trying to meld my skills and knowledge as an arts facilitator into my professional life.

MP: I overheard you say you’re not good with artist statements. Why is that?

Oh man. I don’t know? They’re just agonizing to me. Everyone says you have to have one…you know you have to have one…they are important, but I just struggle with it. I just think there are some things that cannot be summed up in 2 or 3 paragraphs…like, who you are and what you’re trying to accomplish with your art, and what does it all mean. It’s such a loaded question. …And, have you ever read an artists’ statement? Ugh, blah blah blah.

MP: Do you have any other jobs? Are you in school? What do you do in your free time?

I’m currently working as a freelance graphic artist and videographer (though times is tough and I’m unsuccessfully searching for a steady gig.)

I am a student of the world, aka…not in school.

In my free time I like to read, sleep, work on my stand-up comedy routine, and am most looking forward to getting my garden growing again! I love diggin’ in the dirt.

A million thanks & other items of note

jenrosenthal — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:45:00 +0000

1) Thank you to all my friends, family, supporters, strangers, and new pals for coming to my opening last Friday. Your love and support helped make it an unforgettable night and has kept me walking on cloud 9 since.

B) I’m thrilled to share some great reviews I’ve received recently, all from incredibly talented and exceedingly kind women. Check ‘em out: Chicagoist, Chicago Weekly, ArtSlant

III) If you missed the opening, or just wanna come hang out with me again, the closing party for “control” is this Friday, April 24th, 7-11pm. Refreshments will be served, but feel free to BYO and stay awhile. 1837 S. Halsted.

Fourth) I caved, follow me on twitter.

Lastly, please to enjoy my interview for CADTV with Nathan Peck @ the Chicago Art Department…

control | New works on display @ the Chicago Art Department | April 10, 2009

jenrosenthal — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 05:54:00 +0000

Ok, so here it is. Two weeks until my show at the Chicago Art Department and I feel like I may burst with anticipation. There’s still a million things to do, but I hope you’ll join me Friday, April 10th for the opening. Here’s a little blurb about the work. I hope you dig it…

control
New works by Jen Rosenthal
April 10 – 24, 2009

Opening reception Friday, April 10, 6-10pm
Closing reception Friday, April 24, 7-11pm
Chicago Art Department
1837 S. Halsted

Jen Rosenthal’s collection of new works explore the inky middle ground between control and entropy. In this new series, the artist lives and breathes, on grassy knolls between bailouts and bankrolls, empathy and apathy, pulled between the expanding universe and the collapsing consciousness of America. Jen’s delicate line work and hand stitched thread, paired with aggressive splatters and drips of ink evoke messages of optimism and stability in times of crisis and uncertainty. As she meticulously works the lines around the mess of chaos, she strives to find a new path amongst today’s weighty obstacles. While the world seems to be tearing apart at the seams, Jen looks to the silver lining, letting the struggle inspire creative momentum and a renewed sense of direction.

control.

jenrosenthal — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:39:00 +0000

Three years ago, I found myself going through major growing pains. My dad’s death had sent me into a tailspin. His unfulfilled life was staring me in the face. My career was sucking the life outta me, and I owned a condo that kept me tethered in place. To counter my father’s lack of responsibility I swung my pendulum into self-imposed hyper-control that left me feeling rigid, and abrasive in the eyes of others. I felt trapped by convention. I wanted something else. I wanted to travel. I wanted to try new things. I wanted to be weightless. I was miserable in my complacency and was sleepwalking through life. I was a zombie and longed for a change, but was scared to death.

In my past, change always went hand and hand with family chaos. Change was not a healthy process or an exciting endeavor. Change was forced upon me at every crossroads. My entire life, I’d been searching for stability in an unstable home. Why would I purposely blow up my whole world when I finally had a steady footing?

“I know I can do this…I’m just scared.”

He asked what did I have to lose?

I said, “control.”

He said, “What control? You allow everything and everyone to dictate your life.”

…

He was right. I would only react when provoked. I allowed my life to flow by the decisions made around me. I waited until change came to me.

This would be the first time I took control.

Kaboom!

…The Winter of our Discontent

jenrosenthal — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:50:00 +0000

From my windowsill I see…

music: “Rhodes Two” by My Were They

Three Things

jenrosenthal — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Just finished my new piece for the CMYK Show…

Three Things
19.75″ x 9″
thread, ink, marker on paper
2009

Meet-the-Artists-After-Work Viewing:
Mon, February 16, 5:30pm–8:30pm

Closing Artists’ Reception:
Sun, March 15, 6–9pm

New Wave Coffee
3103 W Logan / 2557 N Milwaukee, Chicago
Hours: open Mon–Fri 7am–11pm, Sat–Sun 8am–11pm