Saturday in the Studio – Jean Kinney

In the Studio with
Jean Kinney

How did you start making art?

Born in Bellingham, I came from a creative family. I remember digging clay from a stream bank as a 12 year old to model figures of my dog and an elf sitting cross-legged.

My long career as an elementary teacher provided many opportunities to create art along with my students. Perhaps the most memorable were 13 years of guiding fifth graders to create elaborate wool felt puppets, write scripts, and perform puppet shows for the entire school.

From 1997-2004 I had a side business in the attic of our Tacoma Queen Ann Victorian house teaching porcelain doll making to adults in the evenings. Besides casting, cleaning, painting, and firing porcelain I was wig maker, milliner, shoe maker, and dressmaker to these diminutive figures.

After retirement in 2004 my husband and I became snowbirds between Olympia, WA and Citrus County, Florida where for 15 years I painted with a group of artists who gathered every Friday to work from live models.

In the last 16 years I have taken scores of workshops in pastel, oil, and watercolor. A few of my many teachers were Albert Handell, Marvin Mattelson, Ramon Kelley, and Robert Liberace.

As time went by I became more proficient in both pastel and oil. Most recently I have been exploring oil and cold wax medium. I love the texture and the satiny glow the cold wax creates. My favorite subjects are people, animals, flowers, and the landscape.

In March of 2020 we stopped migrating back and forth and settled in Lynden. During the pandemic I have continued my studies by reading and attending virtual workshops ie. Realism Live and Plein Air Live.

The Alders Dance in the Meadow

The Sun Sets on Johnny Appleseed

Winter Dance

Why do you create and what need does it satisfy?

I am happiest when I am creating. The creative process takes me to a sacred space where I connect with an energy that is joyful, peaceful, universal, and healing.

As an artist, what is your most important tool?

My passion, work ethic, curiosity, observation, and attention to detail.

Mutual Respect 9"x12"

What is something that you can’t live without in your studio and why?

Light. In my studio I have a northeast facing window behind my easel as well as two adjustable LED 3200-5600 Kelvin lights.

What is your least favorite part of your process?

Cleaning up is my least favorite part, but I do it because I work better in an orderly space. Washing brushes, scraping the palette, putting things away, etc. are necessary parts of the creative process.

What is your favorite part?

I enjoy the back and forth conversation between myself and my art. Drawing, developing the composition, and establishing the deep value structure come first, but my greatest joy comes from adding the final touches such as the highlight in the eye.