Jo Cooney

Artist Statement

Imagination is the drive of my work expressed through the use of color, texture, mark making and mixed media techniques. The evolution that occurred as I explored combining acrylic and ink resulted in levels of textured layers with thoughtful lines.

Imagination has a way of wandering into the realm of impossibilities, creating the need for balance with cradled boundaries. The ebbs and flows of the creative process combines with the meandering of my imagination. Often, I begin with the light and flowing techniques of ink or the mixture of vibrant acrylic colors, then pulling back, anchoring the piece with the elegance of gold.

Starting with color, blending and blurring together, I build each layer using various mediums. For me, it adds interest to areas that were once undefined and vague. Often inspired by the mysterious beauty of the night sky, gold leaf, ink and other media are layered to capture aspects of the divine universe. As a result, the viewer, through imagination, may find the freedom to lose themselves in the possibilities.

The final touches, of mark making, construct a context for the viewer's eye, making sense of the journey and finishing the piece.