Against the Wall Gallery Presents:

Jaime Venhaus: Panels/Canvas

Mixed Media Paintings

July 6th  – 31st, 2007

Opening Reception: Friday, July 6th  6-9 p.m.

 In July we are pleased to present Lincoln artist Jaime Venhaus to share her artistic endeavors. The exhibition will be on display July 6th – 31st, with an opening reception on Friday, July 6th, 2007 from 6 to 9 pm. Live music of The McNeelees, hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will accompany the artwork. Jaime will be at the reception to visit and answer any questions you may have about the works.

Please join us in July to view the work of Jaime Venhaus. Against the Wall Gallery is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 to 5 pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm. We are located in Lincoln's Historic Havelock area at 6220 Havelock Avenue. For further information, please contact us at (402) 467-3484 or e-mail us at u a t w (at) a l l t e l (dot) n e t.

  Jaime's Artist's Statement:

My collection begins with pieces I created while still in college.  I was very influenced by the actual process of painting.  I loved the qualities of paint so much I remember saying “I want to eat it”!!  The basics of painting; such as, the homemade canvas stretcher, the application of the paint, and the bold colors all influenced me.  I was especially fascinated with the ability to layer and create texture in my canvas paintings.  I played with various mediums in my under paintings.  If you look closely, you can see them between the paint and the canvas.  My subject matter at this time was very influenced by nature, trees specifically.  At that point in my life I still wanted to join the Peace Corps, had a fear of global warming, and wanted to save Mother Nature.  My sisters used to jokingly call me a “tree hugger”.

 As I approached graduation, in my last semester of college, I began to adjust my state of mind due to the new experiences and the many changes I was going through at that time.  My biggest change was the switch from canvas to wood panel.  I began making pieces with subject matter that were direct observations of my surroundings.  I was influenced by my variety of college courses and also society around me.  questioned media and politics, and looked closely at general opinions of what is important to people in the United States.  I found universal issues in every class that seemed to be overshadowed by the latest fashion and leisure activities.  I also juxtaposed oddities and unique images in interesting patterns, focusing on both the negative and positive spaces of my panels. I no longer use canvas, no longer create texture, and no longer mix colors directly on the piece, but I still “want to eat” my paintings!

 -Jaime Venhaus

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