• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Arts on Main

Community Arts Center in Gloucester, Virginia

  • Monthly Exhibitions
  • Events & Classes
  • Gallery Artists
  • Support Arts on Main
  • Contact Us

Artist Feature: Jason Abbott & Jessica Belvin-Coker

In our Artist Feature for the month, we introduce you to two local artists who find their inspiration in the natural world. We decided to reach out to Jason Abbott and Jessica Belvin-Coker, for a quick “Q + A”, to find out a little bit more about them and to see if the current quarantine has changed their work in any way.

Meet Jason Abbott

Q: Can you describe your work in three words?

A: Natural, Fluid, Harmonious

Q: What type of work do you do and what kind of mediums do you use?

A: I focus mainly on landscapes in oils now.  Sometimes I use acrylics depending on my mood.  Most of my life I drew using graphite and ink. I would say the ink sketches are still where my heart is, but oils offer a challenge that I don’t feel I will ever be truly comfortable with.  There is always that desire to make a scene look more natural, more realistic, without being stoic and mechanical.

Q: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?

A: I draw inspiration from the scenery around me.  We are so fortunate here in the Tidewater to experience a constant interplay of water, land, and sky.  I am also unashamedly inspired by other artists. I am keen to try and not copy an artist’s subject or style or technique, but when I see a work that really grabs me …. it’s hard not to incorporate a piece of that in my next attempt.

Q: Have you always been artistic?

A: I have always drawn and created.  As a child, I remember drawing pictures all the time.  It was how I dealt with sitting in class for 8 hours a day.  

I had the Childcraft series of books, if anyone remembers those, and my favorite one was the dark blue one entitled “Make and Do”, I believe.  It was full of arts and crafts, and my parents would try to accomodate my collection of materials needed to complete as many of the crafts in the book as I could.  

At a very young age I remember seeing Albrecht Durer’s wood prints and engravings and thinking that his work was as good as it could get.  “The Knight, Death, and the Devil” had me drawing nothing but pictures of devils and bat wings when I was 5 and 6 years old, thinking back it probably caused some concern for my parents.

Q: Did you grow up in a creative family? 

A: My parents were very creative.  My mother with the way she cooked and the sense of comedy that she instilled in us, and my father used his creativity in the remodeling of houses and an ability to fix anything and everything.  They are both two of the most self-reliant humans I’ve known, and I believe that is the essence of creativity.

Q: How did this influence you and your path in life?

A: Mainly by instilling the confidence in me that anything that someone else can do I could also do it, if I apply the work necessary.

Q: What has been the most challenging part of being an artist?

A: The most challenging part of being an artist for me is staying inspired.  It is rare that I want to paint. It is usually something that hits me out of the blue and I have to take advantage of that drive while it lasts.  Most of the time it is like trying to make yourself eat when you have no appetite.

Q: Has being in quarantine changed your work or the way that you work in any way?

A: The funny part of being in a “quarantined” state is that I have actually had more time than ever to paint and have not painted at all.   My wife asks me, “Why aren’t you painting? You have all this time…” I think that, like most people, the uncertainty and the unprecedented (at least in our lifetime) nature of this event has most of us in a level of anxiety that we’re not sure exactly how to cope with.  There is such a feeling of a suspended, limbo existence right now, I find it hard to incorporate something that it is so important to me.

Q: Where would you like to see your work go in the future?

A: I am really unsure of where I would like my art to go, other than to improve.  

The art that I have produced has never been an intellectual or planned pursuit.  I have seen some artists that develop a concept for their art, plan it, layout designs.  I have tried this, thinking that it is the “correct” way to create art. It never worked for me.  But who knows, it may be exactly what I need in order to grow as an artist.  

I would like to try sculpting.  The few times I have tried, it was very satisfying, but my family has to share our living room with me as my studio, so I think bringing in a table and clay may upset an already delicate balance.  One day.

To experience more of Jason’s work you can visit his website or follow him on Instagram (@jasonabbott.art) or Facebook


Meet Jessica Belvin-Coker

Q: Can you describe your work in three words?

A: Whimsical, lively, earthy. Those would probably be the first 3 drawn out of the pot.

Q:What type of work do you do and what kind of mediums do you use? 

A: My work mainly revolves around the natural world. I like to capture the scenes of our native wildlife and make it into something of my own, with an emphasis on natural history illustration. Watercolor is my one and only. I joke sometimes that watercolor chose me – I did not choose watercolor. I’m so glad that it did.

Juvenile Ospreys: 9×12 watercolor “This is actually from an Osprey nesting box my husband and his brother built a few years ago; right in Urbanna. They are a backyard species that returns every year to our creek. This is their hatch from the summer of 2018. I painted this from a reference photograph I took. It’s a real experience to watch Ospreys breed and return each year. A true staple of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Q: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from? 

A: Most of my inspiration comes from my own backyard. I grew up on the York River and all the secret creeks it holds. The woods, the water, and anything related to the amazing Chesapeake Bay has been my reason. I’m an avid birder and naturalist, so that pairs with the painting aspect. My inspirations started to blossom even more when I moved to Urbanna; nestled right along the Rappahannock River. The waterfowl here in the winter is truly amazing, especially spring migration with all the warblers and neotropical migrants passing through. This place has shaped me into the artist I am today. 

(Left: Star Crossed) “This is a 9×12 watercolor. This can be seen either as a Crow or Raven. Whatever you want to view it as! I used a lot of dark/light pigments to create iridescence, and a few brush techniques for the star-burst effect.” (Right: Red-Bellied Woodpeckers) “Two cute male and female Red-bellied Woodpeckers just hanging out and doing what they do! 9×12 watercolor. I had fun with my paint brush and color choices when creating the tree bark effect.”

Q: Have you always been artistic?

A: In some way or another, yes. When it came to painting and drawing…I had to find that side of me by complete accident. I did not know I could “draw” until I tried. I was completely shocked and amazed when I realized my hands, eyes, and brain were communicating in a way that was so foreign, but felt as if I’ve been doing it all along. That’s where it all began.

Q: Did you grow up in a creative family? 

A: Honestly, I might be the first painter from my small family!

Terns of the Chesapeake: “9×12 illustration of a few species of Terns that you would commonly see around our local rivers and creeks. I love shore birds, so this will always be a summer favorite for me.”

Q: What has been the most challenging part of being an artist?

A: Sharing my work has probably been the most challenging part. You create a piece of your soul, share it with the world and hope for the best. A lot of time and energy goes into one drawing or one painting. It’s so much more than putting color on paper, you really have to mentally prepare and work for it in other ways as well. I suppose fear of rejection almost stopped me from sharing. With time, I’ve slowly let go of that fear. 

Q: Has being in quarantine changed your work or the way that you work in any way?

A: 2020 has definitely been an interesting year. This quarantine has actually been positive. I have been able to slow down, re-evaluate and look at my process from a new perspective. I’ve actually started to work on new ideas and step out of my comfort zone. Watercolor is so fluid; there are so many things that can be done, so I’m tapping into my creative side again. I’m thankful for this step-back and being able to have an extended break on life to improve. I tell myself that there is always room to improve with  each day. 

(Left: Sleepy Screechies) “Eastern Screech Owls – (Red and Gray Morph) in tree hollow. 9×12 watercolor. This one features two Eastern Screech Owls sleeping in a cozy and warm tree hollow. It’s a very exciting thing when you can locate and watch them sleep. Especially when you can see each morph color. I kept a fluid background with warm, earthy colors.” (Right: Great Horned Owl) “9×12 watercolor featuring a fierce Great Horned Owl. I kept the realism very minimal in the body, but true to the face.”

Q: Where would you like to see your work go in the future?

A: I would truly love to illustrate and paint pieces for organizations that do a lot for our natural world. National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, VIMS, and The Chesapeake Bay Foundation are a few to name. I really want to inspire more individuals with my work, possibly spark an interest about the importance of biodiversity. I hope someone is able to get outside, explore and listen… and maybe, they will carry and pass the candle to someone else and so on. 

To experience more of Jessica’s work you can view her piece in our Juried Show exhibit page. You can also follow her on Instagram (@coastalvawild) to view her artwork/photographs and be updated on when her website launches.


Please note that the opinions expressed by the artists are their own, in their own words, and are not necessarily opinions expressed or shared by Arts On Main or its representatives.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: annual juried show, Gallery Artist, jason abbott, Jessica Belvin-Coker, juried show, Nature Artist, oil painting, plein air, Watercolor

Primary Sidebar

DECEMBER 2022:
Mary Morton Parsons Update

_______________________________

 

Your support guarantees a place for all to enjoy the arts in Gloucester, Virginia.
Become A Part of Arts on Main!

 

Download the 2021-2022 Annual Report

 

 

Betsy Henderson, Interim Executive Director
director@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Alisa Potter, Gallery Manager
gallerymanager@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Blair Waters, Programs and Marketing Manager
adminassistant@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Hanah Hailey, Gallery Coordinator
Communications@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

Gallery Hours

Open Wednesday – Saturday
Noon – 5:00pm
Closed Sunday through Tuesday
Call: (804) 824-9464

Open Studio

Every Friday afternoon, 12pm-2pm!
Free & open to the public

Art Classes

Ongoing classes in all mediums for kids of all ages.
Art Class Registration Info

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for ways to volunteer in the community? Arts on Main has wonderful volunteers and would like you to join them. Email adminassistant@gloucesterarts.org or call the gallery for more information. 804.824.9464.

 

Before Footer

gloucesterarts

Meet Dathan Kane, one of the artists featured in o Meet Dathan Kane, one of the artists featured in our Black History Month Exhibit!

Dathan Kane is a contemporary abstract painter and muralist currently based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. He received his BFA in Art & Design from Virginia State University in (2014) with a focus on illustration & painting. The theme of his work focuses on the constant duality of life’s  choices whether positive or negative. He uses bold – organic, black/white shapes to explore the complexities of life and to gain a sense of balance through artistic expression. Dathan Kane has worked with numerous galleries, collectors and city mural projects across the state of Virginia, Baltimore Maryland and throughout the country. His work is currently included in the collections of Dollar Tree, Work Programs Architects (WPA) at Assembly Norfolk VA , VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) as well as other institutional spaces. His first international exhibition took place at the Sichuan Contemporary Institute in China (2017). Kane was recently selected to be a muralist for the RVA Street Mural Festival (2022) in Richmond VA, Three Notchd “Leave Your Mark!” Mural Festival (2022) in Richmond VA and has exhibited with the Chrysler Museum (Glass Studio) Gallery in Norfolk VA (2022). In addition, Kane completed a two week residency program in Baltimore via “Studio House” producing two murals curated by the CAN Foundation. He currently serves on the board of the Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, Virginia and works on the (CAN) exhibition team at the Contemporary Arts Network in Newport News, Virginia.

Find more of his work at http://www.dkaneart.com
Story Shields Workshop by Featured Artist, LaKaye Story Shields Workshop by Featured Artist, LaKaye Mbah (Ages: Middle School Students-Adult)

Saturday, February 18
1:00pm-4:00pm

Arts on Main is excited to host a workshop by one of our February Black History Month featured artists, LaKaye Mbah. During this workshop, we will build a visual language based on our shared experiences, as well as what makes us unique as individuals. Together, we will discuss West African textiles and the history behind the creation of Story Shields, develop a shared visual language for the workshop participants, create story shields based on our shared visual language, and apply finishing touches that make each story shield unique.

‼️Registration deadline is Thursday, February 16 by 5pm.‼️

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/story-shields-workshop-by-featured-artist-lakaye-mbah/
Meet Ray Johnson, one of the artists featured in o Meet Ray Johnson, one of the artists featured in our Black History Month Exhibit! 

“As an artist, I aspire to create art that is meaningful and emotional. My art engages representation of black beauty, strength and perseverance. With the influences of artist like Dr. Fahamu Pecou, Patrick Dougher and Clayton Singleton, I try to capture the power in what it means to be “black”. I want all people to be able to connect and relate to my work. But I particularly hope that people of color gain pride through the positive representation of the black men and woman that I create.

In my work I like to use men and woman of color to express the topics of love, struggle and togetherness. With acrylic and oil, my paintings of random nameless figures are full of emotion that come to life on canvas.” – Ray Johnson

@rayjohnsonart 

Find more of his work at https://artxrayjohnson.com
Beginners Watercolor Paint Night with Jan Finn-Duf Beginners Watercolor Paint Night with Jan Finn-Duffy: Sea Turtle 🐢

Friday, February 17
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Join watercolor artist Jan Finn-Duffy for a fun evening of mixing paint and water to create an original piece of art!  No skills are necessary when you arrive, but don’t be surprised if you have a few watercolor skills when you leave!  All supplies are provided by the instructor.  Just come to experience the joy and fun of painting!

Cost is $40 per person.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 15 by 5pm.

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/beginners-watercolor-paint-night-with-jan-finn-duffy-sea-turtle/
Follow on Instagram

 

Footer

Newsletter Sign-Up

Enter your email address below to sign up for our Newsletter!

We will never share your information.

Connect with Us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Activities at Arts on Main are partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Arts on Main is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

  • Home
  • About Arts on Main
  • Support the Arts
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 Arts on Main - Gloucester, Virginia - Call: (804) 824-9464