About

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Jaren has been painting for more than six decades, working primarily in acrylics and making edition prints. My background in design and visual structure has shaped the way I see and interpret the world, and much of my work grows out of observing how color, form, and light interact in unexpected ways. Over the years, my paintings have garnered attention in galleries, international exhibitions, art fairs, and private collections, but the core of my practice has remained the same: a commitment to clarity, balance, and the expressive potential of shape and color. I continue to approach each new piece with curiosity, always looking for the moment when an image begins to reveal something deeper than what was first captured.

Jaren's recent work begins with photographing reflections—distorted fragments of color, light, and form that already contain a sense of movement. In the studio, he manipulates these images digitally, adjusting color, contrast, scale, and composition to push them toward abstraction while preserving the essence of the original reflection. He often introduces geometric elements to play against the organic shapes created by the distortion. Once the digital image is resolved, Jaren prints it at a reduced size—usually on 8.5×11 paper, or occasionally divided into sections and reassembled for a larger reference. I then transfer the composition to Masonite or canvas by drawing it at full scale, much like a landscape painter blocking in mountains and trees outdoors, except in reverse: I enlarge the image by hand. The final painting is a precise, realistic translation of the digital source, strengthened through color, clarity, and presence to become a more fully realized work than the print itself.

For me, painting is a way of distilling the world into something essential. Even though my work begins with a photograph, the final painting is not about documenting reality—it’s about transforming it. I’m drawn to the quiet tension between the organic movement of reflections and the deliberate geometry I introduce into them. By translating the digitally altered image into paint, I aim to create a sense of presence that feels both familiar and abstract. My hope is that each painting offers a moment of stillness, inviting viewers to slow down, look closely, and find their own connection within the interplay of color, shape, and space.

The video on the left presents a selection of Jaren’s paintings and past exhibitions, offering a concise overview of the range and development of his work. It is intended as a brief visual introduction for visitors encountering his paintings for the first time, as well as for those familiar with his exhibitions. A second video—created by Fusion Art, Santa Fe, NM—highlights why he was selected for  Artist Spotlight, Artist Excellence Award, and Featured Artist recognition. It's available on the Home page and the Exhibitions page if you'd like to watch the video.