Jen Savedra continuously explores different themes and experiments with mediums and techniques in her paintings.

She believes that artistic expression results from progressive growth and diversity - evolving through a combination of cultures, experience, intelligence, beliefs and talent. Together, or in part, these factors permit artists to develop and produce uniquely creative representations of their views.

Biography

Jen Savedra drew and painted from earliest childhood. She was exhibiting in childrens shows by 7 and in her early teens she was illustrating stories and articles and accepting commissions in watercolours and pastels.

After graduating from Art College she worked in design and graphics primarily within the travel industry. While continuing to paint, she designed brochures, websites, worked on writing projects and other creative activities.

Savedra now divides her time between Toronto and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and travels extensively – usually with a plein air easel and always with a small watercolour book and paints. The results of these sketches lead to large studio works, or form the basis of "imaginary landscapes."

Studio visits in Toronto by appointment. Email jensavedra@aol.com.

VANISHING POINTS

The ongoing series Vanishing Points depicts a wide-ranging view of our diminishing coastlines. Cities, towns and villages that lie along the water’s edge are at risk from an increasingly harsh and violent environment and from the brutal onrush of the developer’s bulldozer. Whether ocean, river, lake or canal, our shorelines in North America are quickly losing their magnificence and their charm.

Jen Savedra captures the ambiance and the atmosphere of coastal areas. Beach cottages, distinctive houses and beautiful beaches are portrayed with a vibrant palette. The eccentric architectural styles of Key West and New Orleans are given a subtly humourous touch undeniably in keeping with the joie de verve and energy of those vital areas.

Vanishing Points is an ongoing premise that has now taken on a darker aspect.

In a chillingly predictable pattern, once again in 2005 many parts of the world suffered a series of not-so-natural disasters. Global Warming is a fact and whether we like it or not our own irresponsible behaviour has contributed to the environmental catastrophes that we increasingly face. As governments and businesses finally begin to address the problems of the environment and seek solutions to the devastation, we cannot rely on them for the painstaking restoration and refurbishment that unique structures and art require. It is incumbent upon us to do what little we can to help. Not to do so is to sit back and watch the bulldozers.

Jen Savedra will donate a portion of the proceeds from all sales of the series Vanishing Points to assist various artists and art related causes necessitated by the aftermath of Katrina, Wilma and other disasters.

The Vanishing Points. Key West: Jake Series has been designated to The Florida Keys Council Of The Arts. The council uses donations for post-hurricane awards of $250 to $1000 to local artists who have lost homes, tools, supplies and artworks.

TRANSITION BY JEN SAVEDRA

Jen Savedra’s work is a fusion of contrasts. The palette is both vibrant and muted, the technique employs washes and flowing paint creating drips that are sometimes tightly controlled and other times run unrestrained. The results are vibrant, fluid works that draw in the viewer even as they spill off the canvas in a jumble of pigment and colour.

The exhibition confronts current political issues and the urban experience. A series of “Towers”, maintain the elements of conventional canvas work within three dimensional assemblages of canvas and metal hardware. They evoke the central structure of the cities that dominate our skylines and control the finance, commerce, industry and government that manage and manipulate our lives.

TRANSITION depicts themes of progression, realignment and change. While the subject matter touches on politics and the urban experience, it also alludes to the personal, inner transformations we encounter - the transition of our lives and our worlds.

TRANSITION was at the Niagara Gallery from October 19th to October 29th 2005.

All artworks on this website are copyright Jen Savedra, all rights reserved.