Artist_Statement

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In my past life, I was the Grapevine High School Advanced Placement Art Teacher for 29 years, before retiring to become a "real artist". For years I taught my students how to pursue their dreams as artist. I keep up with my students, like Robyn O'Neil who has become a successful fine artist, with her own show at the Whitney Museum in New York City. Kareem Iliya, renowned designer in the fashion world. Maggie Sipple, who has her own line of watches for "Fossil". Adam Weber designed a truck prototype that has toured the US. The list continues on & on.

My years of teaching these young artists, to become true artist and to follow their dreams were very rewarding years. But, now it is my time in life to bravely pursue my own career as a fine artist.

After retirement, I thought I would be in Taos, New Mexico, painting "Plein Aires" and leading a peaceful serene life in the mountains. I never dreamed I would be in the metro-plex and finding recognition as a fine artist and a commercial artist. My work takes me into a variety of art careers. My most recent artwork can be seen on the large wall of Reichmann Petroleum Building, located on Texan Trail, leading to the Gaylord Hotel, in Grapevine, Texas.

I design and construct original installation pieces for corporate identity, such as a large slate wall of water flowing over the etched letters of the corporation.

My most unusual large-scale work, involves the 30-foot tall, 3-demensional mountain, for Fellowship Church. It rises up from the first floor of the rotunda to the 2nd story, surrounded by a curved staircase. I enjoy my church, because I can use my artistic talents, which are a true blessing from God.

My most recent fine art, takes the form of assemblage, mixing textured surfaces with objects, and my drawings & paintings. These constructive pieces allow me the freedom to work with found objects and assemble them onto surfaces that I have created. Each object that is chosen helps the viewer to decipher the meaning of the piece. My works are like visual scriptures. The objects stand for words or thoughts, helping to create my artistic statement. In church, I have always carried my sketchbook and my years of sketching the visions I got from the messages have become the art hanging in my latest show at The "Creative Arts Studio", in Colleyville. Most people take notes in church, but I draw. Some of my artwork comes from inspirations as far back as 10 years. I refer to it as my "church art".

I have kept my journals and all the objects I have collected thru the years, waiting for my chance to come, when I could concentrate on my own artwork. As a teacher, your life is so wrapped up in your student's lives, that you have no time or space for your own.

Now, I have time for "Me as an Artist", so welcome to my new life.

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Janie Cavender

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Artist Statement

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