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!