In my recent series of paintings I employ a variety of contemporary and traditional techniques to create a visual experience to entice the observer. One of my goals is to have the paintings possess an abstract quality when viewed at a proximity of 3-5 feet, but as the observer steps back the painting becomes more representational.
This in turn makes the process of paint application an important part of the whole. I achieve this by using a variety of tools including a brush, palette knife, brayer, and squeegee. There is a visual map in many of the works that allows the viewer to see my process. This is especially evident in my paintings of dancers. From the initial toning of the panel to the last mark, the viewer is able to see the process upon close inspection.
My paintings consist of two different subject matters, figurative/portrait and cityscape, painted in a similar style by using the same applications although to different degrees. The figure/portrait part of the series allows me to concentrate primarily on the human form devoid of the complex surrounding environment.
This enables me to use the background as an abstract area in which the figure/portrait can be deconstructed, distancing the boundaries of true representation. My second subject matter consists of a series of cityscapes. In these paintings the background is complex and shadow areas have little to no detail. With both, areas of interest are fragmented to different degrees giving a sense of movement to the figure and busy city life.
By breaking up some of these areas it is my goal to entertain the eye of observer by using a variety of deconstructed areas in contrast to smooth areas. This in turn creates a sense a rhythm and harmony throughout the composition keeping the viewer engaged.
As this series progresses, I want to push the boundaries of fragmented areas into solid blocks of color and integrate other media to explore the limits between representation, abstraction and multimedia.
While the representation of the subject will have some reference, it is my goal to explore the beauty that lies within the division between representation and abstraction. It will be my take on a modern impressionism using the figure and cityscape as the building blocks of this contemporary genre.
Biography
Jacob Dhein was interested in art as a child. Crayons and colored pencils were his tools of expression. He spent hours intricately crafting drawings of comic book heroes and animals. By the time he graduated from high school, one of his drawings was exhibited on the wall of a local bank. It wasn’t until he was a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh that he decided to take a drawing class. He found this so compelling that he continued with sculpture and painting. During this time he met several accomplished and influential artists who encouraged him to pursue a career in art. Tc Farley, his advisor and sculpture professor, taught him about the struggle and dedication one needed to succeed as an artist. Li Hu, his painting professor, showed him the professional side of the art market and what he needed to do if he wanted to paint for a living.
In 2006, Jacob graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Painting and Sculpture. He worked for several years after graduation, although still continued with his artwork, mainly doing portrait commissions. During this time he took workshops to enhance his skills with painters whose work he was interested in. After two years, in 2009, Jacob dedicated himself to painting full time. Upon reflection he realized that there were missing elements in his artwork he needed to explore if he were ever to reach his goal of mastering the medium. He searched for a school that had a renown faculty that excelled in the area of representational painting. He decided to get his Masters of Fine Arts at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco that he completed in 2013. In 2014, Jacob started teaching drawing and painting at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco.
Selected Exhibitions and Awards
- 2016 Figures, Stricoff Gallelry, New York, NY
- 2016 The City Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
- 2016 Landscape Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, CA
- 2016 Contemporary Figuration, Abend Gallery, Denver, CA
- 2016 Edge of Realism, Abend Gallery, Denver, CA
- 2016 LA Art Show, Los Angeles, CA
- 2016 Young Masters Show, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbra, CA
- 2015 Annual Mini Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, CA
- 2015 31st Anniversary Show, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbra, CA
- 2015 Solo Exhibition, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
- 2015 Introductions, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
- 2015 Figurative Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
- 2015 Contemporary Still Life Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
- 2015 Landscape, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
- 2015 Urban Landscapes, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
- 2014 Solo Exhibition, Christian Daniels Gallery, San Francisco CA
- 2014 30th Anniversary Show, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbra, CA
- 2014 Edge of Realism, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
- 2014 Bold Brush Award, Bold Brush Art Competition
- 2014 Urban Faces and Figures, Christian Daniels Gallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2014 Streets of San Francisco, Christian Daniels Gallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2014 An Italian Sojourn 2, Italian Cultural Institute Gallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2013 OPA Western Regional, South Wind Art Gallery, Topeka, KS
- 2013 Plein Air Group Show, Christian Daniels Gallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2013 Streets of San Francisco Group show, Christian Daniels Gallery, San Francisco, CA
- 2013 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, Cowboy & Indians Magazine Award of Excellence, San Antonio, TX
- 2012 OPA Western Regional, Denver, CO
- 2012 Spring show, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA
- 2012 Renditions Gallery, Small works, Walnut Creek, CA
- 2011 Salon International, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
- 2010 Annual Members Exhibition, West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
- 2010 The Glass Blower and The Painter, Cultural Center, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
- 2010 Richeson Life Drawing: Open Studio Exhibition, First Place, Kimberly, WI
- 2010 Richeson 75 Portrait, juried show, Kimberly, WI
- 2010 Secura Fine Art Exhibition, juried show, Two Honorable Mentions, Appleton, WI
- 2010 Richeson 75 Small Works, juried show, Best of Show, Kimberly, WI
- 2009 Richeson 75 Landscape, Seascapes, and Architecture, juried show, Best of Show, Kimberly, WI
- 2009 Artists for ARC, Art off Main gallery, Auction for funding for individuals with disabilities, Oshkosh, WI
- 2008 Alexander House Exhibition, Port Edwards, WI
- 2007 Colorama, juried show, Best of show, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Education
- 2013 MFA, Drawing and Painting, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA
- 2006 BFA, Painting and Sculpture, University of Oshkosh, WI
- Publications(click on highlighted text to see articles)
- Walt Mortan, Walt Mortan’s Picks: The Best Paintings at the LA Art Show, 2016, Huffington Post, January 31, 2016
- Lorenzo Pereira, Jacob Dhein Expresses the Passion of Painting at the Abend Gallery, Wide Walls,
- Jacob Dhein, Inspiration and The Journey Through Process, Artists on Art, Spring Issue 2015
- Challenging Realism, American Art Collector, November, 2015, Page 130-131
- Contemporary Figuration, American Art Collector, June 2015, Page 148-149
- Jacob Dhein, Inspiration and The Journey Through Process, Artists on Art, Spring Issue 2015
- Brian Sherwin, Art Talk on the Edge: Interview with Jacob Dhein, The Art Edge, December 2014
- Show Preview, Southwest Art, December 2014
- Real People, American Art Collector, December 2013, Page 106-107
- Dhruba RC, Sketches from the Book of Life by Jacob Dhein, Lucky Compiler, October 2013 (Click here to see online)
- Plein Air Showcase, American Art Collector, July 2013, Page 140-141
- Bonnie Gangeloff, Artist to Watch Southwest Art May 2013 page 24 (Click here to see online)
- Twelve Years Strong, American Art Collector, April 2013, page 140
- What’s in a Face? American Artist Drawing, Spring 2012, page 66
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
Jacob Dhein Painting
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