>>FEATURED DESIGNER - JEN GASSIRARO

Jen is an amazing and talented designer who by day is a Textile/Graphic Designer for a leading retailer in the U.S.  To fullfill her need to create outside of her work and her high energy to paint and illustrate, she creates these beautiful art that she sells to the public. You can view her additional work on jengassiraro.blogspot.com.

DESIGNER'S STATEMENT

Inspired by musicals, lace, doilies, sappy country songs, fashion, botanical etchings, Abstract Expressionism, Funny Girl, Twiggy, fashion illustration, Funny Face, Audrey Hepburn, Chanel, Pop songs, wall paper, stickers, flea markets, graphic tees, window designs, Pink, Textiles, vintage floral paintings, baroque scrolls, graffiti, decals ….. I could go on and on listing the items that inspire me to make artwork….Intertwining these influences I aspire to create art that has an overtly decorative feminine surface. During the most intense times in my life; a divorce, depression and an unexpected pregnancy my artwork has become even more indulgent in “pretty things”… I surround myself with my safe surface glitz and create…sitting in front of a blank canvas using my tools that are all things girly I collage, paint, spray and draw. Mixing the romantic surface of Abstract Expressionism with the extremely flat world of graphic design I create my mixed media pieces and escape giving the viewer a little piece of eye candy that can entertain… Like glitter in the air.

Below is from the Press Release from my Solo Show in 2011:

Gassiraro is inspired by Abstract Expressionism, botanical etchings, vintage floral paintings, fashion, wallpaper, window designs, the color pink, & baroque motifs(…). By intertwining these influences, Gassiraro creates an art that has an overtly decorative surface. Mixing the self-indulgence of Abstract Expressionism with the extremely flat world of graphic design, she creates mixed media pieces as an “escape”. As respite for tough times, Gassiraro desires to share with the viewer a little piece of eye candy that can entertain… Like glitter in the air.

Jennifer Gassiraro obtained a BFA from Texas Christian University and a MFA from University of North Texas . Gassiraro lives and works in Dallas , Texas where she currently works in the fashion industry.

Mokah Art Gallery, an extension of Life in Deep Ellum, serves to promote culture and art in Deep Ellum and surrounding communities. At the Cultural Center , Mokah Art Gallery exhibitions feature contemporary art of local artists from the experimental, the emerging, and the established.

By-Courtney Miles , Mokah Art Gallery

[The materials and statement are posted with the permission from the designer, refer to copyright details]

© 2011 by Jen Gassiraro. All rights reserved   

No part of these images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior written permission.