Waimea artist J. Jay West has released a series of highly textured abstract oil paintings as part of a challenge undertaken this fall with 70 other artists worldwide. West’s online show, “Standing Still, mini-series,” will be exhibited in a virtual show that opened Dec. 15.
The series of 10 is created on wood panels, sized 8-by-8 inches each. Each painting mirrors a beach from an aerial perspective. The “Standing Still” collection is an awareness statement about climate change and its effects on our oceans.
“I feel we have reached a tipping point in terms of the continued degradation of our environment, and I feel we are Standing Still in terms of leadership around the world to do the right thing for the future of humankind. We can go one way or another,” said West. “I have always been inspired by the ocean and the ever-changing wave patterns. I am mesmerized by the translucent and glimmering color palette found when viewing from the shoreline. I challenged myself to create these small works because all of my works are much larger.”
West’s current body of work has evolved over the years. She manipulates wet paper pulp processed from newsprint, brown sack, and office paper to imitate ocean waves. Sometimes she will affix foil-lined tea bag packaging shaped from traditional Hawaiian tapa beaters. Recycled plastic from hearing aid battery packaging creates abstract coral reefs.
West is a Hawaii-based award-winning artist with over 40 years of experience creating unique art. West is well-known for utilizing non-traditional art materials which keep paper, plastic, and glass out of our island’s overfilled landfills. She served on the board of directors for Recycle Hawaii for 10 years and was the first artist-in-resident at Hawaii county recycling centers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Kansas.
For more information, contact West at j.jay.west@gmail.com.