West Dean College Short Course in Woodcarving – Society of Wood Engravers – “Inner Strength” Charcoal Drawing and “When Trust Breaks” Oil Painting
February 20, 2012
Art Journal February 2012 by Jenny Meehan
Back from an excellent course at West Dean College led by Ted Vincent. “Woodcarving” was great…I like wood, I had a feeling I would (Ahhh! I did not intend that pun!) and I learnt some very useful things, most importantly for me how to sharpen my tools and which tools to purchase. I will carry on, maybe not in 3D…I liked working in 3D, but I have been wanting to try out some woodcuts. It’s a logical next step forward. Here’s an image of my produce. I am playing around with how I like it best arranged, and since taking this image, I think I have found a better way, but here it is for now. I also have some small adjustments to make. I have to admit to a certain complacency on day three of the course, as I had done the majority of the cutting, and I wanted to practice sharpening tools. So I faffed about. I liked the polishing wheel and the grinder: it brought back memories of my Dad, a Locksmith and Toolmaker, and I spent a fair bit of time first making tools blunter than they were when I got hold of them, and finally making them sharper. 
Still have some adjustments to make. Was a lovely course, great tutor, really helpful and encouraging. Did a fair amount of research over the time there too. Looking at Paul Nash (again!), examples of Japanese pattern/printmaking, and Christian symbolism.
Society of Wood Engravers
Enjoyed the Society of Wood Engravers 74th Annual Exhibition at the Bankside Gallery. There is nothing like the graphic clarity of black and white printing, and how pleasing to the eye the meticulous and committed mark. Drawing! Drawing! Drawing! (I have abandoned you with my explorations into paint and texture right now, but what a timely reminder to return) to lines, lines this way and that, overlapping lines, lines pressing against each other, lines tailing off, lines colliding, lines confronting, lines integrating and rebelling against each other. Lines defining, in the way that only lines can. I won’t forget. The time will come. I found myself very attracted to fanciful creatures, imaginary beasts and have made a note to myself to create some imaginary fish.
At some point I wish to work on some relief carving of limestone slabs…As usual I have far too many ideas and too little time! It has been my experience though, that this is not such a bad thing, as long as one does have the ability to focus in when necessary. Indeed, a diversity of ideas, reflections, inclinations, and of experimention with different materials, can mean, (if what is learnt is put into practice in other media), that avenues of creativity and expression are opened up in a way which would not have been possible in any other way. Different materials and techniques have much to offer eachother, and stop ones work from growing stale.
Inner Strength Charcoal Drawing
“Inner Strength” Charcoal Drawing from life by Jenny Meehan.
I feel grateful right now for all those people who, in a spirit of genuine compassion and love, have enriched my experience of life through their kindness and consideration. It is these things which give us inner strength, and enable us to work in the world in a beneficial way.
Quotes to Learn from
“At first, when an idea, a poem, or the desire to write takes hold of you, work is a pleasure, a delight, and your enthusiasm knows no bounds. But later on you work with difficulty, doggedly, desperately. For once you have committed yourself to a particular work, inspiration changes its form and becomes an obsession, like a love-affair… which haunts you night and day! Once at grips with a work, we must master it completely before we can recover our idleness.”
Natalie Clifford Barney (October 31, 1876 – February 2, 1972) was an American-born writer of poems, epigrams, pensées, and novels. She made her home in Paris, where she was known more for her literary salon and her colorful personal life than her writing, despite publishing ten critically acclaimed books in her lifetime. Natalie was “the wild girl of Cincinnati,” the grande dame of the literary salon and Parisian lesbian circles, and used her considerable wealth and influence to promote talented writers and artists from around the world. Text is quoted from this excellent online resource: https://www.literaryladiesguide.com/author-quotes/quotes-by-natalie-clifford-barney-on-life-and-love/
Just looking at my notes from a recent visit to Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, Sussex. A favourite gallery, especially as they chose to exhibit one of my digital C prints a few years ago as part of their St Winifred’s Hospice/”Outside In” Open Art Competition. In the display of Edward Burra’s paintbox, there was a “Guitar” tube of paint! I remember them! Only one, the rest W&N.
I liked the contents of room 15 “The British Landscape” most in the exhibition. I find emotional charge in landscape very inviting. Currently busy with preparing some work for the next exhibition “Some Kind Of Narrative” (Stephanie Greenslade and Jenny Meehan). I am looking forward to this very much, and it is delightful to me to be working with a friend on something, much more enjoyable than putting something on by myself. More interesting, more to talk about, more to reflect on. It will be at Leatherhead Theatre, Leatherhead, Surrey. I will put more information up soon.
“When trust breaks” painting by Jenny Meehan
“When trust breaks” painting by Jenny Meehan
How to Support Jenny Meehan
If you like my art working and would like to support me you can! Just put
in your browser and follow instructions. There’s no option for me to thank you via the PayPal Me process but do contact me via contact form and let me know if you have gifted me so I can thank you.
You can buy my original paintings directly from me personally.
Just contact me via the contact form. Price range is between £250 and £400.
Sometimes they are offered for sale during exhibitions too. Normally its more expensive to buy them this way, (though not always). Some organisations enable me to price my work in an accessible way due to the way they operate, but if a submission fee is required I obviously have to factor it in.
I dislike this system, but art exhibitions are used to generate funds for different organisations and charging artists to submit artwork (to submit… Even if not accepted!) is one way this is done. There are also other costs incurred by the artist in supplying the artwork for exhibition. So artists artworks sold during an exhibition are frequently more expensive for an art collector to purchase. It is often preferable to approach an artist directly and view work by arrangement in person.
If you are thinking of buying one of my original paintings I can arrange a viewing for you. If you are looking for something specific in terms of colour and/or style, just let me know because I have many more paintings than I am able to display online. I can send you further information on the process of buying artwork directly from me if you would find that helpful. I appreciate that it is unfamiliar ground for many people.
Also available via redbubble, the well known print on demand marketplace, you can buy unsigned prints on many substrates. This is an easy and convenient way to purchase my art online.
Take a look here:
It’s also a very good place to get a feel for quite a big strand of my creative artworking. Any problems locating what you want, feel free to contact me via the contact page on this Art Journal/ Artist Blog.
I have TWO Redbubble Artist portfolios! The “jennyjimjams” one has most artwork on it at the time of writing.
My two Redbubble Artist portfolios are;
I have mostly the abstract, flat colour geometrical art in Redbubble as it makes nice prints. I selected work for that platform in order to help my work become more accessible. There’s also a lot of surface pattern designs. I post more of those on my
Artist profile. I find creating patterns very therapeutic!
The main style of my original painting is Lyrical Abstraction/Abstract Expressionism. I also enjoy working with black and white photography tending towards pictorialism. I frequently use collage and digital collage.
Copyright and Licensing Digital Images Information – Jenny Meehan
Copyright in all images by Jenny Meehan is held by the artist. Permission must be sought in advance for the reproduction, copying or any other use of any images by Jenny Meehan. Individuals or businesses seeking licenses or permission to use, copy or reproduce any image by Jenny Meehan should, in the first instance, contact Jenny Meehan.
Copyright for all visual art by Jenny Meehan is managed by the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) in the UK. If you wish to licence a work of art by Jenny Meehan, please contact Jenny Meehan in the first instance to clarify your requirements.
DACS always make an initial proposal for image licensing fees in line with the industry standard. Personally, I am open to negotiation. So contact me in the first instance so we can discuss your requirements, project, and budget. The Designer and Artists Copyright Society will administrate accordingly.
It is I, the artist, who determines the final licensing fee, and there are often projects, charitable organisations, people and smaller ventures with which I am particularly keen to work with because of a shared vision. I appreciate budgets can be restrictive. While image licensing fees for my art images will broadly based on the industry standard, this is a guide amount, and can vary subject to circumstances.
The administration for organising an image licence is straightforward for both parties, and is done through the Design and Artist Copyright Society. They provide you with the licence paperwork and I supply you with the image.
Society of Wood Engravers at the Bankside Gallery –
February 11, 2012
Enjoyed the Society of Wood Engravers 74th Annual Exhibition at the Bankside Gallery. There is nothing like the graphic clarity of black and white printing, and how pleasing to the eye the meticulous and committed mark. Drawing! Drawing! Drawing! (I have abandoned you with my explorations into paint and texture right now, but what a timely reminder to return) to lines, lines this way and that, overlapping lines, lines pressing against each other, lines tailing off, lines colliding, lines confronting, lines integrating and rebelling against each other. Lines defining, in the way that only lines can. I won’t forget. The time will come. I found myself very attracted to fanciful creatures, imaginary beasts and have made a note to myself to create some imaginary fish. I have some wood, and it needs cutting. However, for work far more skilled than I will be producing in this medium: http://www.banksidegallery.com/viewexhibition.aspx?exhibitionid=44 What I will be doing soon in relation to wood is a wood carving course at West Dean College, Near Chichester, Sussex with tutor Ted Vincent. I’m thinking of working on a relief carving of a fish. While I won’t be printing with my carving, I am hoping that I will also gain some technical skills which I can carry over into using in different ways. At some point I wish to work on some relief carving of limestone slabs…As usual I have far too many ideas and too little time! It has been my experience though, that this is not such a bad thing, as long as one does have the ability to focus in when necessary. Indeed, a diversity of ideas, reflections, inclinations, and of experimention with different materials, can mean, (if what is learnt is put into practice in other media), that avenues of creativity and expression are opened up in a way which would not have been possible in any other way. Different materials and techniques have much to offer eachother, and stop ones work from growing stale.
“Inner Strength” Charcoal Drawing from life by Jenny Meehan.
I feel grateful right now for all those people who, in a spirit of genuine compassion and love, have enriched my experience of life through their kindness and consideration. It is these things which give us inner strength, and enable us to work in the world in a beneficial way.
Quotes to Learn from
“At first, when an idea, a poem, or the desire to write takes hold of you, work is a pleasure, a delight, and your enthusiasm knows no bounds. But later on you work with difficulty, doggedly, desperately. For once you have committed yourself to a particular work, inspiration changes its form and becomes an obsession, like a love-affair… which haunts you night and day! Once at grips with a work, we must master it completely before we can recover our idleness.” Natalie Clifford Barney (October 31, 1876 – February 2, 1972) was an American-born writer of poems, epigrams, pensées, and novels. She made her home in Paris, where she was known more for her literary salon and her colorful personal life than her writing, despite publishing ten critically acclaimed books in her lifetime. Natalie was “the wild girl of Cincinnati,” the grande dame of the literary salon and Parisian lesbian circles, and used her considerable wealth and influence to promote talented writers and artists from around the world. Text is quoted from this excellent online resource: https://www.literaryladiesguide.com/author-quotes/quotes-by-natalie-clifford-barney-on-life-and-love/
Saatchi Gallery Exhibition
Visited the Saatchi Gallery. Two items of interest here for me. I REALLY liked the gallery with Gert and Uwe Tobias’ large works, see: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/gert_tobias.htm I am increasingly rather fond of woodcuts and to see these collages of printed paper put together to make such large work was bound to be of interest. What intelligent use of colour and design. There is no denying the power of the two working together. I love that pressed down application of powerful pigment/oil ink. Quality, and quantity! I also liked the sculptures of Georg Herold 2010 and 2011. The combination of the underlying form of the battens and the stretched canvas with its violent lacquer colour coating really works well as a means of expressing the human form and the work was both beautiful to the eye and technically a wonderful achievement for sure. See: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/georg_herold.htm?section_name=artists_germany A wobbling mirror made me feel quite ill, and wasn’t working properly; it was meant to start vibrating when you stood in front of it, which it didn’t! There is quite a lot I won’t mention, due to a mixture of lack of interest on my part, and the precious nature of time. Below a small section of one of my paintings. This was oil, but I am using a lot of acrylic now, mainly to experiment with texture in a more explicit way. 
How to Support Jenny Meehan
If you like my art working and would like to support me you can! Just put
in your browser and follow instructions. There’s no option for me to thank you via the PayPal Me process but do contact me via contact form and let me know if you have gifted me so I can thank you.
You can buy my original paintings directly from me personally.
Just contact me via the contact form. Price range is between £250 and £400.
Sometimes they are offered for sale during exhibitions too. Normally its more expensive to buy them this way, (though not always). Some organisations enable me to price my work in an accessible way due to the way they operate, but if a submission fee is required I obviously have to factor it in.
I dislike this system, but art exhibitions are used to generate funds for different organisations and charging artists to submit artwork (to submit… Even if not accepted!) is one way this is done. There are also other costs incurred by the artist in supplying the artwork for exhibition. So artists artworks sold during an exhibition are frequently more expensive for an art collector to purchase. It is often preferable to approach an artist directly and view work by arrangement in person.
If you are thinking of buying one of my original paintings I can arrange a viewing for you. If you are looking for something specific in terms of colour and/or style, just let me know because I have many more paintings than I am able to display online. I can send you further information on the process of buying artwork directly from me if you would find that helpful. I appreciate that it is unfamiliar ground for many people.
Also available via redbubble, the well known print on demand marketplace, you can buy unsigned prints on many substrates. This is an easy and convenient way to purchase my art online.
Take a look here:
It’s also a very good place to get a feel for quite a big strand of my creative artworking. Any problems locating what you want, feel free to contact me via the contact page on this Art Journal/ Artist Blog.
I have TWO Redbubble Artist portfolios! The “jennyjimjams” one has most artwork on it at the time of writing.
My two Redbubble Artist portfolios are;
I have mostly the abstract, flat colour geometrical art in Redbubble as it makes nice prints. I selected work for that platform in order to help my work become more accessible. There’s also a lot of surface pattern designs. I post more of those on my
Artist profile. I find creating patterns very therapeutic!
The main style of my original painting is Lyrical Abstraction/Abstract Expressionism. I also enjoy working with black and white photography tending towards pictorialism. I frequently use collage and digital collage.
Copyright and Licensing Digital Images Information – Jenny Meehan
Copyright in all images by Jenny Meehan is held by the artist. Permission must be sought in advance for the reproduction, copying or any other use of any images by Jenny Meehan. Individuals or businesses seeking licenses or permission to use, copy or reproduce any image by Jenny Meehan should, in the first instance, contact Jenny Meehan.
Copyright for all visual art by Jenny Meehan is managed by the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) in the UK. If you wish to licence a work of art by Jenny Meehan, please contact Jenny Meehan in the first instance to clarify your requirements.
DACS always make an initial proposal for image licensing fees in line with the industry standard. Personally, I am open to negotiation. So contact me in the first instance so we can discuss your requirements, project, and budget. The Designer and Artists Copyright Society will administrate accordingly.
It is I, the artist, who determines the final licensing fee, and there are often projects, charitable organisations, people and smaller ventures with which I am particularly keen to work with because of a shared vision. I appreciate budgets can be restrictive. While image licensing fees for my art images will broadly based on the industry standard, this is a guide amount, and can vary subject to circumstances.
The administration for organising an image licence is straightforward for both parties, and is done through the Design and Artist Copyright Society. They provide you with the licence paperwork and I supply you with the image.
Visiting the Saatchi Gallery – Jenny Meehan Contemporary Artist’s WordPress Journal
February 4, 2012
Visited the Saatchi Gallery. Two items of interest here for me. I REALLY liked the gallery with Gert and Uwe Tobias’ large works, see: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/gert_tobias.htm I am increasingly rather fond of woodcuts and to see these collages of printed paper put together to make such large work was bound to be of interest. What intelligent use of colour and design. There is no denying the power of the two working together. I love that pressed down application of powerful pigment/oil ink. Quality, and quantity!
I also liked the sculptures of Georg Herold 2010 and 2011. The combination of the underlying form of the battens and the stretched canvas with its violent lacquer colour coating really works well as a means of expressing the human form and the work was both beautiful to the eye and technically a wonderful achievement for sure. See: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/georg_herold.htm?section_name=artists_germany
A wobbling mirror made me feel quite ill, and wasn’t working properly; it was meant to start vibrating when you stood in front of it, which it didn’t! There is quite a lot I won’t mention, due to a mixture of lack of interest on my part, and the precious nature of time.
Below a small section of one of my paintings. This was oil, but I am using a lot of acrylic now, mainly to experiment with texture in a more explicit way.
How to Support Jenny Meehan
If you like my art working and would like to support me you can!
Just put
in your browser and follow instructions. There’s no option for me to thank you via the PayPal Me process but do contact me via contact form and let me know if you have gifted me so I can thank you.
You can buy my original paintings directly from me personally.
Just contact me via the contact form. Price range is between £250 and £400.
Sometimes they are offered for sale during exhibitions too. Normally its more expensive to buy them this way, (though not always). Some organisations enable me to price my work in an accessible way due to the way they operate, but if a submission fee is required I obviously have to factor it in.
I dislike this system, but art exhibitions are used to generate funds for different organisations and charging artists to submit artwork (to submit… Even if not accepted!) is one way this is done. There are also other costs incurred by the artist in supplying the artwork for exhibition. So artists artworks sold during an exhibition are frequently more expensive for an art collector to purchase. It is often preferable to approach an artist directly and view work by arrangement in person.
If you are thinking of buying one of my original paintings I can arrange a viewing for you. If you are looking for something specific in terms of colour and/or style, just let me know because I have many more paintings than I am able to display online. I can send you further information on the process of buying artwork directly from me if you would find that helpful. I appreciate that it is unfamiliar ground for many people.
Also available via redbubble, the well known print on demand marketplace, you can buy unsigned prints on many substrates. This is an easy and convenient way to purchase my art online.
Take a look here:
It’s also a very good place to get a feel for quite a big strand of my creative artworking. Any problems locating what you want, feel free to contact me via the contact page on this Art Journal/ Artist Blog.
I have TWO Redbubble Artist portfolios! The “jennyjimjams” one has most artwork on it at the time of writing.
My two Redbubble Artist portfolios are;
I have mostly the abstract, flat colour geometrical art in Redbubble as it makes nice prints. I selected work for that platform in order to help my work become more accessible. There’s also a lot of surface pattern designs. I post more of those on my
Artist profile. I find creating patterns very therapeutic!
The main style of my original painting is Lyrical Abstraction/Abstract Expressionism. I also enjoy working with black and white photography tending towards pictorialism. I frequently use collage and digital collage.
Copyright and Licensing Digital Images Information – Jenny Meehan
Copyright in all images by Jenny Meehan is held by the artist.
Permission must be sought in advance for the reproduction, copying or any other use of any images by Jenny Meehan. Individuals or businesses seeking licenses or permission to use, copy or reproduce any image by Jenny Meehan should, in the first instance, contact Jenny Meehan.
Copyright for all visual art by Jenny Meehan is managed by the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) in the UK. If you wish to licence a work of art by Jenny Meehan, please contact Jenny Meehan in the first instance to clarify your requirements.
DACS always make an initial proposal for image licensing fees in line with the industry standard. Personally, I am open to negotiation. So contact me in the first instance so we can discuss your requirements, project, and budget. The Designer and Artists Copyright Society will administrate accordingly.
It is I, the artist, who determines the final licensing fee, and there are often projects, charitable organisations, people and smaller ventures with which I am particularly keen to work with because of a shared vision. I appreciate budgets can be restrictive. While image licensing fees for my art images will broadly based on the industry standard, this is a guide amount, and can vary subject to circumstances.
The administration for organising an image licence is straightforward for both parties, and is done through the Design and Artist Copyright Society. They provide you with the licence paperwork and I supply you with the image.
Jerwood Encounters – Glithero – Jerwood Visual Arts Union Street London SE1 0LN – Jenny Meehan WordPress Journal
February 2, 2012
Visit to the Jerwood Visual Arts on Union Street SE1 0LN. Of most interest to me was “Burn Burn Burn” (2007) a work by Glithero (Sarah van Gameren and Tim Simpson). I could watch this for hours…a flame travels through time along a flammable screen printed decorative pattern of paint on a wooden panel (in this setting) which leaves a charcoal trace as it progresses. Also on display are past patterns made with the same process. “Literally and metaphorically it is the ashes of a process”. And on their website “ The work is presented in a broad spectrum of medium, but follows a consistent conceptual path; to capture and present the beauty in the moment things are made” A worthy aim, in my opinion, and what beautiful work it is: http://www.glithero.com/ Time and transformation…..mmmmm.
How to Support Jenny Meehan
If you like my art working and would like to support me you can!
Just put
in your browser and follow instructions. There’s no option for me to thank you via the PayPal Me process but do contact me via contact form and let me know if you have gifted me so I can thank you.
You can buy my original paintings directly from me personally.
Just contact me via the contact form. Price range is between £250 and £400.
Sometimes they are offered for sale during exhibitions too. Normally its more expensive to buy them this way, (though not always). Some organisations enable me to price my work in an accessible way due to the way they operate, but if a submission fee is required I obviously have to factor it in.
I dislike this system, but art exhibitions are used to generate funds for different organisations and charging artists to submit artwork (to submit… Even if not accepted!) is one way this is done. There are also other costs incurred by the artist in supplying the artwork for exhibition. So artists artworks sold during an exhibition are frequently more expensive for an art collector to purchase. It is often preferable to approach an artist directly and view work by arrangement in person.
If you are thinking of buying one of my original paintings I can arrange a viewing for you. If you are looking for something specific in terms of colour and/or style, just let me know because I have many more paintings than I am able to display online. I can send you further information on the process of buying artwork directly from me if you would find that helpful. I appreciate that it is unfamiliar ground for many people.
Also available via redbubble, the well known print on demand marketplace, you can buy unsigned prints on many substrates. This is an easy and convenient way to purchase my art online.
Take a look here:
It’s also a very good place to get a feel for quite a big strand of my creative artworking. Any problems locating what you want, feel free to contact me via the contact page on this Art Journal/ Artist Blog.
I have TWO Redbubble Artist portfolios! The “jennyjimjams” one has most artwork on it at the time of writing.
My two Redbubble Artist portfolios are;
I have mostly the abstract, flat colour geometrical art in Redbubble as it makes nice prints. I selected work for that platform in order to help my work become more accessible. There’s also a lot of surface pattern designs. I post more of those on my
Artist profile. I find creating patterns very therapeutic!
The main style of my original painting is Lyrical Abstraction/Abstract Expressionism. I also enjoy working with black and white photography tending towards pictorialism. I frequently use collage and digital collage.
Copyright and Licensing Digital Images Information – Jenny Meehan
Copyright in all images by Jenny Meehan is held by the artist.
Permission must be sought in advance for the reproduction, copying or any other use of any images by Jenny Meehan. Individuals or businesses seeking licenses or permission to use, copy or reproduce any image by Jenny Meehan should, in the first instance, contact Jenny Meehan.
Copyright for all visual art by Jenny Meehan is managed by the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) in the UK. If you wish to licence a work of art by Jenny Meehan, please contact Jenny Meehan in the first instance to clarify your requirements.
DACS always make an initial proposal for image licensing fees in line with the industry standard. Personally, I am open to negotiation. So contact me in the first instance so we can discuss your requirements, project, and budget. The Designer and Artists Copyright Society will administrate accordingly.
It is I, the artist, who determines the final licensing fee, and there are often projects, charitable organisations, people and smaller ventures with which I am particularly keen to work with because of a shared vision. I appreciate budgets can be restrictive. While image licensing fees for my art images will broadly based on the industry standard, this is a guide amount, and can vary subject to circumstances.
The administration for organising an image licence is straightforward for both parties, and is done through the Design and Artist Copyright Society. They provide you with the licence paperwork and I supply you with the image.
Jenny Meehan - Art Journal 