The importance of light shines through in the second collaborative exhibition of mother-and-son artists, whose show opens Friday, Sept. 2, at Windows Art Gallery in Wallingford.
With their compatible color schemes, Jonathan Owens' and Jan Hart's paintings will intermingle on the walls in the upcoming exhibition Familiar Light. The exhibition illustrates how light has been a motivating influence for both painters.
Finding meaning in art
Hart brings her knowledge of zoology into some of her paintings, with animals in their natural habitats, such as a toucan in Costa Rica.
Owens' paintings will include floral close-ups and skyscapes.
"We both have different favorite subject matters," Owens noted. "We both love light so much - that is the underlying principle."
"My passion is mostly light," Hart agreed. "It's so unexpected, and it's the one thing that continually moves as the sun moves."
It was when she moved from Seattle to New Mexico in 1993 that light, as well as color, became the primary theme of Hart's paintings. The strong light and contrasting shadows there inspire her.
"Seattle has a beautiful, translucent light," she said, adding that Seattle has less shadows because of its clouds.
Both artists are also influenced and inspired by artist Georgia O'Keefe.
"Her goal was the essence of the subject - not just to paint a pretty picture," Hart said. "That's been my struggle; I want 'meaningful.'"
The freedom of art
Hart has been working with watercolors since she was introduced to the medium in architecture school 30 years ago; prior to that, she used oils. Hart now teaches watercolors all over the country.
"Watercolor is very immediate, and you have to learn not to control it - let it have some freedom," she said.
Owens uses pastels as his medium of choice. "I love the tactile quality of it. Everything I paint is with my fingers," he said. "The medium really lends itself to be spontaneous and very fluid."
In 1997, Owens earned a degree in graphic design from Cornish College of the Arts.
"Since then, I really discovered my love for painting," he said. "It's very therapeutic for me."
From 1999 to 2004, Owens painted at his mother's studio in New Mexico, finding inspiration in the light and skies outside.
"[Hart] has taught me so much about light, and I look up to her a lot," he said. "She has definitely influenced me in painting."
Now, Owens lives in Greenwood, looking for new subject matter in the Northwest. Skies from both the Northwest and the Southwest can be found in some of his paintings at the exhibition. Owens noted, however, that the light in his paintings is more of an emphasis than the location.
"It's that transparency - the light that's within a subject," Owens said. "It mirrors the light that's within me. too."
Where to be
Owens will have another show in December with glass artist Steve Wirbilowicz, at Doggie Style, a high-end dog grooming salon in the Roosevelt neighborhood.
He also will have a solo show at Trine Studios during the Ballard Art Walk in February.
"There's a real spiritual aspect to painting. You paint where you are in life," Hart said. "I don't always see where I am. The painting lets me know."
Familiar Light opens with a reception on Friday, Sept. 2, from 6 to 10 p.m., and runs through the end of September at Windows Art Gallery, 4131 Woodland Park Ave. N.
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