In 1997, after leaving the work-a-day- world as a professional photographer and graphic designer, I started painting my children and other people’s children. I wanted to capture the memories of their childhood, to show them “as they are for now.” This made me happy and grounded in my “stay-at-home” life. The paintings were like giant snapshots from the family photo album and like a snapshot, they captured a moment in time, but time cannot remain static. Children grow older and lives change. 

Now I am fortunate to have this larger space to paint “larger”, both literally and figuratively. In this space I can paint several works simultaneously and work in both oils and acrylic. 

Pretense • Poison • Missing • Eviscerate • Undone

These larger canvases reveal a more personal story. The 6’ x 6’ oil paintings evolved from a personal trauma and the realization that nothing in life ever remains the same. Memories are illusive and lies will break your heart.

These paintings begin with a photographic image, but elements are altered or added to tell a more psychological and emotional story. 

I am learning to accept the groundlessness of life and to relax somewhere in the middle, because that is where love lives. Through my work I converse with my demons: anger, fear, and sadness so that I may value my goodness: compassion, bravery, and joy. 

- Jean Manning

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