Artist Profile: Jane Dunnewold

Jane Dunnewold
San Antonio, Texas

1. What kind of challenges did this theme present to you? It’s always a challenge to think about how work I’m already doing fits a theme proposed by someone else. I learned a long time ago that my work couldn’t possibly rise to meet every theme exhibits feature, without my feeling sort of schizophrenic in the process. So what I love about this theme is that it can be so broadly interpreted. Any artist who is working true to her authentic self does work that can fit the theme. That’s beautiful because of the opportunities for inclusion and also for a variety of interesting pieces that vary greatly from one to the other. I also loved it because I could keep on track with what I am exploring personally, and also try a few new ideas I’d had in mind.

2. Describe your studio space? I have a thousand square foot studio which is a major blessing. Since surface design is at the heart of what I create, I have great sinks and a 16 foot printing table. Although I don’t do a huge amount of quilting or sewing on my pieces, I have a great, sunny room where the mid-arm and other machines are set up. I think how fortunate I am every time I walk into my spaces. And I’ve got Alexa, to keep the music and podcasts coming!

3. Where can people see your work in the next six months? On my website. I’m fortunate to have a one person show slated for Tulsa at the Hardesty Art Center in September. I have work in Denver in the show “75” in honor of Judith Trager. Also in the Oregon SAQA show in the fall, as I was their juror. And I’ll have a one person show in January at the Texas Quilt Museum, and also work at the Armory Art Center, in West Palm Beach, Fl.

4. Do you ever work in a series?  If so, what benefits or challenges does this present to you as an artist? I always work in a series. My work is driven by ideas and there are too many ideas to resent them all in one piece and then feel done with it. Each piece leads to other ideas, which are conceptual, but also ideas about other colors or other additional processes that might enhance or further the work. I did a series two years ago that had fourteen pieces in it and when it was done, it was done. i Loved working on each piece and each gave me huge joy. But the end was obvious and I haven’t had any impulse to return to that sort of work. It’s interesting that a series can have a start and a finish, or it can be a way of working that evolves over several years before it really gets traction. I’ve done 15 pieces in the style of my Personal Iconography piece and I’m nowhere near finished with the ideas!

5. What other activities do you engage in that “feed” your creative energy? 

I cook and I write. I bike, and play ball with Pema (my blue eyed Pit Bull-Great Dane mix) My creative energy never turns off, and for that I am quite grateful!