January 1, 2009

Artist Resume


Education

Tarrant County Junior College - NE, North Richland Hills, TX 1989- 2004
University of Texas, Arlington, TX 1997-1999
FWCAC “Making Public Art”, Fort Worth, TX 2004

Honors and Awards/Grants
Ft. Worth ISD - Pastel Landscape, Honorable Mention 1984
AVAA Monthly Member Show - Exhibited at Arlington City Hall, 3rd Place Sept. 2005
Jerry's Artarama Junk Mail Challenge Winner, January 2011
Koh-I-Noor Merit Badge Contest Winner, April 2011

Professional Affiliations
Arlington Visual Arts Association, Arlington, TX
Greenville Art League, Greenville, Texas
Gateway Neighborhood Association, Fort Worth, TX, Founder
Relative Exposure Artist Co-Op, Founder

Related Experience
La Hacienda Ranch, Pumpkin Carving Contest, 1st Place, Colleyville, TX October 2004
10th Annual Greater Riverside July 4th Celebration T-Shirt, Fort Worth, TX May 2005
Photo Texas Capitol, Pub. 9th Ed Schmap Austin Guide, 2010
Graphic Artist for a National Political Organization, USA, 2006 - 2011
Chart Pack Art Instructor - Michael's Instruction Program 2010 - Present


Exhibitions
Fine Art Explosion, TCCNE, North Richland Hills, TX April 16, 2003
FWCAC: The 39 Hour Show, FWCAC, Fort Worth, TX April - May 2003
FWCAC Biennial: 39 Hour Show, FWCAC, Fort Worth, TX March 2004
Art Tree Invitational Exhibition, Greenville, TX June 2005
TVAA National All - Media Juried Art Exhibition, Irving, TX July 2005
GAL Annual Exhibition, W. Walworth Harrison Public Library, Greenville, TX Aug. 2005
AVAA Mini Show, Arlington City Hall, Arlington, TX September 2005
AVAA Member Show, Bob Duncan Community Center, Arlington, TX October 2005
Solo Exhibition: W. Walworth Harrison Public Library, Greenville, TX March 2006
FWCAC Biennial: Formerly the 39 Hour Show, FWCAC, Fort Worth March 2006
Choices from the Biennial - Juried Art Exhibition, FWCAC, Fort Worth, TX May 2006
Relative Exposure: Group Exhibition, FWCAC, Fort Worth, TX Aug. 2007
FWCAC Biennial: Formerly the 39 Hour Show, FWCAC, Fort Worth March 2008
FWCAC Biennial: FWCAC Fort Worth, TX 2010

Artist Statement


One fall, my art evolved from realistic oils paintings, into a contemporary style, with an experimental flair. My current body of works are non-objective, include organic shapes and optical interest. This change occurred following a visit, to the Kimbell Museum, to see the Caravaggio to Dali exhibit. The 20th Century masterpieces were inspiring, especially the work by Max Ernst. That exceptional group of paintings evoked an overwhelming flow of creative thinking.

That evening, following the trip to the museum, I was overwhelmed with inspiration, so much so that I couldn’t sleep. One creative thought continually lead to another, forcing me away from a resting state. Therefore, I succumbed, stayed up all night and allowed creativity to take over. In essence, I exploited the muse to its fullest, by entering my studio and throughout the night, I feverishly took notes, experimented and pursued each new idea. I was truly in a creative moment. This submission to the muse, revealed an original technique, which promises to improve and develop into future unique works.

This single trip to the museum profoundly effected my creativity, technique and enthusiasm. You could say, creativity tapped me on the shoulder and I didn’t ignore it, when it spoke to me. I feel fortunate that I’m growing as an artist and I will continue seeking improvement and inspiration. I have whole heartedly embraced the creative and experimental challenge and it has yielded an unique and original technique, which I can call my own. I intend on following this process to it’s exhausted end and I will continue to push the limits of my creativity. My desire is to see my technique evolve into many profound, interesting and attractive works of art.

When you meet the Muse, embrace.

Artist Bio

Jane Graf was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. You could say, she is a big city country girl. During her school years, weekends were spent on the family farm in east Texas, where she acquired a strong respect for snakes and cattle. She also learned to fish, to shoot and how to drive a standard on the farm.

Her father was a transportation supervisor, of an asphalt company, which transported materials for building projects, including construction of DFW Airport. He was also a cattleman and owned a heard of registered cattle and the family ranch also supported several oil wells. Her mother worked in a print shop and produced things like the TCU and UNT annuals. However, she resigned from the printing business and raising her children became her full time career. Also, her family religiously attended Christian Temple, an Assembly of God Pentecostal church.

Art was always a part of Jane’s life. Her artistic abilities were recognizable, at an early age. By age 8, she taught herself contour line drawing and to this day, it is one of her strongest abilities. Her cats were some of her earliest models. Her mother taught her how to knit, crochet and sew by the age of 13. She attended youth summer art classes, in the mid 70’s, at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Her elementary school years were filled with piano, violin, ballet, tap and baton lessons. She was active in sports, participating in swimming, softball and cheerleading. In Junior High, she attended art, drafting, wood shop, metal shop and band, where she learned to play the flute. Her high school years were filled with athletics and dance. At that time, a pastel landscape was entered in the local scholastic art contest and she received honorable mention.

She married her high school sweetheart and had three children. However, the marriage ended 5 years later and she became a young, single mother managing to work full time, while attending college classes at night. During this time, she dabbled in photography, cake decorating, floral arranging, textiles and metal. She designed and made clothing and costumes for herself and her children. She took some time off from college, after her father died, suddenly of a heart attack. Soon after his death, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and she became her mother’s primary caregiver.

Following the death of her mother, she returned to college, with a new focus on art and she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Photography seems to come naturally to her, so she is anticipating taking photography classes, which will add another dimension to her artistic process. She is currently interested in figural and abstract paintings, while evaluating subject matter, experimenting with different media and materials. Currently, she is devoting her time to political activism and is creating graphic images for a national political action committee. She is actively exhibiting her artwork and seeking gallery representation.