So long, 2014!

Last Tuesday I woke up to this neat surprise: l'étoile magazine has named me "Artist of the Year"!

"ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Jennifer Davis

2014 is the year the secret got out about Jennifer Davis. Known for her color-drenched yet subversive portraits of whimsical creatures, the Minneapolis-based painter was featured in a new book by celebrity art blogger Danielle Krysa, aka the Jealous Curator; presented artwork, including a custom painted handbag and 14 hand-painted shooting targets, at Art Basel Miami Beach’s Miami Design Market; illustrated a line of greeting cards for famous Internet cat Lil Bub; and exhibited at galleries around the country. But perhaps her biggest achievement was Joyride, her stunning solo exhibition at Northeast gallery Public Functionary in March earlier this year. Inspired by an East Coast tour of historic carousels, her hometown show showed the artist moving into larger scale, more concept-driven territory than ever before in a series of large-scale paintings and even a hand-painted, hand-carved carousel horse sculpture, demonstrating a heightened, ever-imaginative sense of whimsy coupled with her signature detailed pattern work. The thoughtful presentation of the show, with carousel-like lightbulbs and mounted swings, made it one of the most memorable art moments of the year. -Jahna Péloquin"

Wow! So nice. I'm flattered and blushing...and so grateful to the people that offered me those experiences. This got me thinking about all of the amazing opportunities I had this year and all of the people who helped me accomplish so many fun projects.

The biggest highlight of my year (career!?) was indeed my show at Public Functionary in Minneapolis in March. So grateful to their amazing crew for helping me pull if off.

Me with the PF crew after my artist talk.

A view of my installation via PF. I miss this so much.

In Sept I had another solo show at Low Gallery in San Diego. I travelled down with my friends, Ngoc and Amy, and we met up with my two Jr. High besties, Jodi and Kari- and our High School friend Chris! I had The Time of My Life. Huge thanks to Meegan and the staff at Low for putting on such a fun show/party and treating us like queens.

Low Gallery photos by Kari Heck.

In 2014 I also had the rare opportunity to participate in two artist residencies with Chris Schlichting's dance company in preparation for our upcoming performance, "Stripe Tease." (I'm so grateful to this team for letting me bumble alongside their grace and talent. I'm way out of my league and learning so much.)
At the Walker Art Center in August:

...with the "Stripe Tease" dancers and musicians at the Walker Art Center.

and at Carleton College in Dec:

Teasing out some stripes at the Weitz Center for Creativity in Northfield, MN. 

This year I also got to show my work in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Miami, Long Beach and of course, at various spots around my hometown of Minneapolis.

THANK YOU to everyone that has helped me exhibit, produce, publish, and print my work. THANK YOU to everyone that has purchased my art and otherwise supported me along the way. 

BRING IT ON, 2015!

FREE SHIPPING on PRINTS via My Etsy Shop!

I'm offering FREE (U.S.) SHIPPING on ALL PRINTS in my Etsy shop through Tuesday, 12/23/14!

All prints ship via US Postal Service Priority (with 1-2 day delivery times) so there is still plenty of time for Santa to delivery the joys of ART for the Holidays.

I have 23 prints available starting at $25. 

Check 'em out in My Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JenniferDavis

American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, MN

Rooster, acrylic/graphite, 48x48", 2014

Three Minneapolis design powerhouses, Forage Modern Workshop, Blu Dot and The Foundry Home Goods have collaborated to assemble a very special room of The American Swedish Institute's "Christmas By Design" exhibit. I'm thrilled that my "Rooster" painting was chosen to accompany their gorgeously designed room:

Stunning during the daytime...

Magical and glow-y at night...

"An “Only in Minnesota” holiday experience, the beloved ASI Christmas Rooms celebrate the holiday traditions of the five Nordic countries (Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden) in ornately decorated rooms throughout Turnblad Mansion. 

The 2014 Christmas Rooms celebrate “Christmas By Design” with a look at how design plays a role in creating holiday traditions, and how these traditions influence modern design.  Featured Nordic designers include Swedish glass artist Ingalena Klenell and Arne Jacobsen of Denmark. This year, a sixth holiday room celebrates local design in Minnesota showcasing how Scandinavian design has influenced design in the state, with works by Blu Dot, Forage Modern Workshop, and The Foundry Home Goods of Minneapolis."

More gorgeous pictures in this feature from Minnesota Monthly Magazine.

More scenes from around the museum:

Stop by if you're in the area. It's a delightful place. (AND- while you're there you can eat at Fika!)

Sat, Nov 15, 2014 12:00pm Sun, Jan 11, 2015 12:30pm

Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, CA

Lucid, acrylic/graphite on panel, 12x16"

"The Jealous Curator: From Blog to Book to Gallery"

opens TONIGHT (Sun, Dec 7, 2014) at Bedford Gallery 

at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA.

Photo by The Jealous Curator.

Have you ever experienced "Creative Block?" 

If you make any sort of art on the regular your answer is probably, "YES!" 

The Jealous Curator, AKA Danielle Krysa- superstar celebrity Art blogger extraordinaire, wrote THE Book about it! 

She interviewed dozens of contemporary, working artists about their own experience with creative block and how they manage it. 

This exhibition brings together 21 artists from the book and I am honored to be included among them! I have four paintings in this exhibition.

Bubble, acrylic/graphite on panel, 16x20"

Stripes, acrylic/graphite on panel, 16x20"

Space Cade, acrylic/graphite on panel, 12x16"

Participating artists:

Hollie Chastain • Chattanooga, TN
Lisa Congdon • Oakland, CA
Jennifer Davis • Minneapolis, MN
Rachel Denny • Beavercreek, OR
Holly Farrell • Toronto, Canada
Chloé Fleury • San Francisco, CA
Alyson Fox • Spicewood, TX
Leah Giberson • Brookline, MA
Lisa Golightly • Portland, OR
Amanda Happé • Toronto, Canada
Jenny Hart • Los Angeles, CA

Kelly Jones • San Francisco, CA
Danielle Krysa • Summerland, Canada
Aris Moore • Exeter, NH
Sidney Pink • Baltimore, MD
Kate Pugsley • Chicago, IL
Martha Rich • Philadelphia, PA
Ben Skinner • Vancouver, Canada
Amanda Smith • Columbus, OH
Trey Speegle • New York, NY
Stephanie Vovas • Los Angeles, CA

     

It has been a real pleasure getting to know The Jealous Curator over the years. 

She came to Minneapolis to host a Girl Crush event with me back in 2012. 

...and here is a peek at my "Creative Block" segment from her book: 

I'm tellin ya! This book is so great...each artist provided an "unblocking" exercise to help stretch your creative muscles. 

It is a really fun read that WILL encourage you to get MAKING. 

Buy it (almost) anywhere books are sold. Take a peek inside via Amazon.

UPDATE 12/12/14: My fellow exhibitor, Lisa Congdon, has written a great recap of the show and posted some photos here.

UPDATE 12/17/14: Another lovely exhibition recap -with lots of photos- via The Jealous Curator.

The exhibition runs through Feb 1, 2015.

Art Basel Miami Beach 2014

Anyone heading to Miami Beach for Art Basel? 

I just shipped 5 paintings, 14 hand-painted paper shooting targets and this fancy custom painted handbag to the Miami Design Market for their Art Basel 2014 festivities.

My custom, hand-painted "Raven" handbag design for The Gentlemen's League.

When: Thurs, Dec 4 - Sun, Dec 7, 2014

Where: Alessandra Gold Concept Store, Miami Beach
What: Miami Design Market: Original Art, Fashion, Design, Collaborations and PartyFunTimes curated by Inez Suen Art Design Consulting and Alessandra Gold
Why: because ART!
Facebook event page with all of the details here.

I collaborated with The Gentlemen's League to create these hand-painted, custom designs on their giant, gorgeous leather and canvas handbag. Several one-of-a-kind custom artist designed bags will be on display and available for purchase.

My custom, hand-painted "Horses" handbag design for The Gentlemen's League.

I will also be exhibiting 14 hand-painted paper shooting targets.
Contact the curator, Inez Suen, for purchasing info:
sueninez@gmail.com

Four Eyes, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

Harry, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target.

Giddy, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target.

Friend, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

SpaceMonster, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

WeatherMan, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target.

Mouse, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

Bullseye, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

Beardo, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target.

Green Bird, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

Black Sheep, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target.

Matsutke, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

Divinity, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

Noodle, 14x24", acrylic/graphite on paper shooting target. (SOLD)

Five paintings too! Theses are 12x16" each, acrylic/graphite on panel with simple pine frames.

Get Up & Go

Catnip

HappyPhone

Fruit

Skull with Kittens

Two New Prints in My Etsy Shop!

So happy to announce the release of two new prints from my series of large scale carousel animal paintings. 

"Lion" and "Horse" are both available now via 

MY ETSY SHOP!

20x20", limited editions of 60 prints each

"Lion" is available for purchase online here.

"Horse" is available for purchase online here.

 Special THANK YOUS to Sebastian Foster for helping my create these prints.

The original painting, "Lion", 4x4', acrylic/graphite on mounted panel from my 2014 solo exhibition, "Joyride" at Public Functionary in Minneapolis.

The original painting, "Horse", 4x4', acrylic/graphite on mounted panel from my 2014 solo exhibition, "Joyride" at Public Functionary in Minneapolis.

 I also have a third print from this series, "Horses" available exclusively via Public Functionary gallery in Minneapolis, MN.

"Horses" print, 20x20"

"Horses" spotted in their natural habitat...on the wall at Harvey House Boutique Guesthouse in Catskills, NY. 

(via @jessicavwalsh / Instagram)