| Stapher-Thomas, Jeniffer |
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(b. 1960)
Place of Birth: Fort Bliss, Texas History: “I am an Army Brat that was fortunate enough to live in Germany, Taichung, Taiwan; Key West, FLA, Sugar Loaf Key, FLA; Portland, OR and my hometown, El Paso, Texas. We traveled often, and I loved it. Fort Bliss was the hub of my father's life and we were stationed there in 1970. I have been in West Texas ever since. I was influenced at a young age by the psychedelic art of the 1960's and 1970's, which seemed to meld with my affinity for Asiatic art which was born and nurtured in Taiwan during the Viet Nam era. I was an artistic child. I loved drawing, painting and making crafty things. I studied ballet and played the flute. In high school I won awards for my poetry and was published nationally in a literary magazine.. In college, I decided that the visual arts was the medium for self-expression that I wanted mostly. I studied off and on for years, struggling to support myself and my daughter Eliza, whom I gave birth to at the tender age of fifteen. I finally earned my degree, although it was not the BFA I wanted, but a degree that would prepare me to make a living. I have been a teacher for 15 years. I have taught studio art and art history at Camino Real Middle School for the last 8 years. I was awarded the title of Teacher of the Year for my campus in 2002. I began to pursue my painting with vigor and determination after I had gastric bypass surgery in 2004. I have lost over one hundred pounds and have gained the disciplined life I have always wanted. I paint daily in my home studio, rising at 3:30 a.m. on the weekdays and 5:30 on the weekends to do what I love most, play with colors and shapes in a world all my own.” Description of Work: “My work is always contemporary in materials and approach. I am most comfortable working fairly large. An average sized canvas for me is 36” x 24”. Some work I do is regional, reflecting the awe I feel for the Chihuahuan Desert and its' fickle skies, but all of my work is characterized by a consistent style. A style which I would describe as having a rather surrealistic defining of place and time, and a determined simplification and stylization of shapes. Smooth color and value gradations blend in an abstracted celebration of hue and shape, mood and meaning. The medium I use is referred to in art history as “stain painting”. It is in actuality, acrylic washes on raw or unprimed canvas. I apply multiple layers of thinned paint, each layer must be thoroughly dry before I add the new one. It is time consuming but personally rewarding. I love the airbrush-like effect and the way that the paint and canvas react to each other. Dr. Bishop introduced the idea to me in college. I learned about Helen Frankenthaller's work and the instant I tried it I knew I had found my medium. For the sake of conservation, I use very heavy cotton duck, quality acrylics and I seal my canvases with matte medium to protect them.” Education: Bachelor of Science of Education Training: “I studied drawing, painting and art history at the University of Texas at El Paso from 1978nto 1991. My professors included Doctors Sally Bishop-Segal and John Hogan. Artistic influences include Georgia O'Keeffe, Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton. In addition, the psychedelic art movement of the 1960's and 1970's had a powerful impact on me, as well as the refined aesthetic of Asian art I grew to adore in Taiwan.” Exhibitions: Arts International Exhibit, El Paso, Texas (2007) Celebrate the Mountains Exhibition, El Paso, Texas (2007) Black and White, and a Splash of Color, El Paso, Texas (2007) El Paso the Beautiful, El Paso, Texas (2007) Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue, El Paso, Texas (2007) All You Can Eat, El Paso, Texas (2007) Dia de Los Muertos, El Paso, Texas (2006) Celebrate the Mountains Exhibition, El Paso, Texas (2006) Save Our Arroyos, El Paso, Texas (2006) Our Lady of Guadalupe, El Paso, Texas (2005) Solo Shows: List Title, City and Year Rhythm of Life, El Paso, Texas (2007) Commissioned Works: Robert Warren, Ph.D. “Rhonda Nee”, 36” x26” (1999) “Posing Prettily on Mount Bonnell”, 22” x 50”, 2004 Charles Roberts, Attorney at Law “Composition for a Blue Heart”, 72” x96” (1989) Robert Belk, Attorney at Law “River Grasses”, 72” x10” (1985) Stained Glass Design for side light of 206 Canyon Terrace 79902 Collections: Studio Metropolis (Flamenco Dance Studio) El Paso, Texas Awards: Best of Show, Our Lady of Guadalupe, El Paso, Texas (2005) Best of Show, Image Award, Save Our Arroyos, El Paso, Texas (2006) Cover Art for El Paso Scene, July edition (2006) |