Jonathan & Carmen Searfoss
A husband and wife team from South Texas, only since 2003 when Jonathan painted "Wash Day," discovered the joy of painting together in their studio. Carmen's medium is Acrylics and Jonathan's is Genesis Artist's Colors. They rely on each other for artistic direction, strength and encouragement and placing God at the center of their 28-year marriage.
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Carmen and Jonathan's art displayed at the "Starry Nights" event at the McAllen McA2-Creative Incubator, November 11, 2006
www.mcallenart.com
Carmen and Jonathan's art displayed at the "My Cup of Tea" exhibit at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, August 30, 2007 to October 16, 2007. www.brownsvillemfa.org
Jonathan's painting "Charcoal Woman at Bangui" displayed at the Plymouth Art Center, Plymouth Massachusetts as part of the city's art fair 2007.
www.mmsporting.com
9 Portraits - 2 Naïve Artists - Carmen and Jonathan's series of portraits exhibited at South Texas College Library Art Gallery, November 8 - December 14, 2007 - Curated by David M. Freeman.
Artists Statements
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phillipians 4:8
Jonathan Searfoss
I have had an interest in art since my childhood; however, I never received any formal training in it except in Junior High School and High School. Three teachers stand out as being exceptional influences on me: Eduardo Epardo, Pierre Delattre and Glenna (Weaver) Landmark. All three encouraged me to pursue art, but life took me on another path until about 2003, I began painting in earnest with a determination to learn how to paint the human form. As I continued down this path, I was learning new techniques through experimentation from each painting I did.
I saw an amazing tiny B&W photograph of Carmen’s grandmother (photo by Genaro Aguila Moreno), and I decided to paint her as a way of preserving her unique, centenarian positive outlook on life. This painting became the catalyst that prompted me to paint this series of portraits in this format. After the portrait of ‘Jovita,’ I decided that each subject would be one that I personally had photographed, and so these are.
By limiting myself to the small square canvas, I viewed this format as a portal into a moment in the subject’s life and I have attempted to communicate something about that person to the viewer that was significant to me. Painting these portraits has been a journey and I have learned techniques that apply to light, tone and composition. I am detail-oriented and had to discipline myself to overcome the temptation to finish fast in order to obtain the results represented in these paintings. Some of these people are relatives and some are friends.
I view these portraits as a minor imitation of the magnificent work of The Master artist, our creator.
Carmen Searfoss
Since I was a little girl I've been interested in art. Although I do not have any formal training, it has never inhibited me from experimenting with all kinds of mediums. However, painting came late in life for me. A few years back, my husband Jonathan started painting with acrylics and then moved to other medium. I grabbed his leftover acrylic paints and, as in the past without fear or training, started experimenting; having a lot of fun in the process.
The human form, by far is one of the most difficult subjects to paint. However, I wanted to make a portrait of my son David from a treasured picture of him when he was only 4 or 5 years old. So, I gave it a go. Although the result was a naïve portrait of him, the process of painting him was so much fun, that I continued painting portraits of children using bright happy colors to capture the mischievous, innocent, smiley faces of family members and friends, stamping on canvas a moment of their lives forever in my own naïve way.
"Wash Day - Decision" currently exhibited at
Baptist Temple Foyer - December 20, 2007 - April 30, 2008
2001 Trenton Road, McAllen, Texas
One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!"
But the other criminal told the first one off, "Don't you fear God? Aren't you getting the same punishment as this man? We got what was coming to us, but he didn't do anything wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Remember me when you come into power!"
Jesus replied, "I promise that today you will be with me in paradise."
Luke 23:38-43 (Contemporary English Version)
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18 (New International Version)
"Wash Day - Decision" was exhibited at South Texas College Library Art Gallery, November 8 - December 17, 2007