Rallenjensen.com

Artist Statement

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

T. S. Elliot

I've lived by this poem my entire life; long before I was even aware of it, the place to which I have returned, is a dimension of my childhood. Pablo Picasso stated that by age 14, he could draw and paint like the Renaissance Masters. It took him the rest of his life to learn how to do it like a child. My media has expanded, the awareness of what I do has heightened. The appreciation for it all has grown. The love in doing it is me. Carpe diem. R. Allen Jensen Oct 2017

BOB'S BONES

I've read a few books. Got a few degrees.

Made more than a few friends.

Know that I know what I know and don't know what I don't know.

I can sew, build houses, weld, cook, cut wood, make love, carry on for 5 minutes about most anything and do other things.

I've motivated, facilitated and no doubt bored a few hundred people, through the profession of teaching.

Produced many hundreds of objects called art.

Exhibited in galleries, museums, homes, and bathrooms.

Had my 15 minutes.

Married 3 times, five children, 15 grandchildren, 4 great grand children (and counting).

Married to the love of my life...her name is Z.

Shed tears frequently.

Laugh all the time.

ARS LONGA, VITAE BREVIS.

RAJ October 2017

My Background

My Inspiration

My Background

I started drawing on the walls of my bedroom and in 1935 that was unusual. I had parents that not only encouraged me but showed their friends my room any chance they got. BA from U of WA and Masters from WA State U. Exhibited in 15 galleries, won 5, 10% for the arts commisiions and more. Taught at Western for 30 years; art history, painting, drawing & design.

My Medium

My Inspiration

My Background

I use many different mediums; wood, tar paper, earth, pastels and paint. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style. When I could see, as I am now almost completely blind, my work looked back at me. Now the works "speaks" to me differently.

I have to "listen".

My Inspiration

Art history is what speaks for itself. Any time you study and look at the Great Masters as well as all Modern Art, I can't help but be inspired. My inspiration has always been to explore what artists have never done. And given what has been done, that means I'm always thinking.