Celebrating light, color
Teacher: A high school instructor's journey as an artist
continues with an Ellicott City exhibit of her paintings.
By Lisa Respers |
Jasper knows about developing a love of art early in life. After graduating from Towson University, she graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art with a master's degree in fine arts.
She said her early introduction to oil painting in college left her unsatisfied. "I didn't think that I liked oil painting because the methods I learned didn't appeal to me." Jasper said. "Yet I loved looking at paintings."
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"Her ability to capture all that is reflective and transparent is brilliant. It's all about light."
Allison Dickinson, gallery director of
Paper-Rock-Scissors
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Jasper read and studied the techniques of the painters she admired and she developed her own style.
Using photographs she as taken, Jasper said, her paintings start with a red background that she builds on with other colors, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
"Thirty years ago, I started teaching photography, and I think that has influenced my composition and awareness of light," Jasper said. "When I go to paint, I try to capture what attracted me," she said.
She has exhibited her work throughout the state. In November, she will have an exhibit at Peninsula Gallery in Lewes, DE. Tony Boyd-Heron, owner of the gallery, said Jasper was invited to show for one simple reason." The colors," Boyd-Heron said. "And her subject material, we feel is the right type for our area."
Allison Dickinson, gallery director of Paper-Rock-Scissors in Hampden, had high praise for Jasper's work.
"Her ability to capture all that is reflective and transparent is brilliant," Dickinson said. "It's all about light."
Getting ready: Painter Caroline Jasper hangs a painting in the Mill River Gallery in preparation for a show. Jasper, 52, who lives in Bel Air, has had the best of both worlds with her teaching and her painting. Back to In Print
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On display: Caroline Jasper, an art instructor at Chesapeake High School,
prepares a painting of hers for exhibit at Mill River Gallery.
Painter's Rewarding Journey
Caroline Jasper loves light.
She is so enamored of light that the word pops up in the title of several of her oil paintings. Starting Saturday, visitors to Mill River Gallery can see a collection of her work, "Light Watch." The show is one of many for Jasper, an accomplished artist and teacher at Chesapeake High School in Essex.
"My personal interest is in looking at places when the light is interesting," Jasper said, "I enjoy landscapes and I find water very attractive."
Jasper, 52, who lives in Bel Air, has had the best of both worlds with her teaching and her painting. An art teacher for 31 years, she has been at Chesapeake for 23 years and said she has learned a great deal from her students.
"You look at what you are doing in a different way when you are teaching," Jasper said. "Some of my students are so afraid to do anything that it surprises me. Others just floor me with how fearless they are."
Michael Linkins, Chesapeake's Principal, said he counts Jasper - who chairs the school's art department - as an asset.
"She's a truly outstanding and dedicated professional." Linkins said. "Through her efforts with the art honor society, which she chartered her at the school and continues to be an ardent supporter of, thousands of dollars in scholarship money have found their way into the hands of art students continuing their education.
Jasper was recently awarded an Excellence in Education award from the Essex-Middle River-White Marsh Chamber of Commerce. David Ring Jr., board member and chairman of the education committee for the chamber, said Jasper was recognized for several achievements, including the founding of the National Arts Honor Society at the school and incorporating art graphics into the curriculum.
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Trail Lights, 28x22, oil on canvas ©2000, Caroline Jasper
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LIGHT WATCH
Elements
of land, water, and architecture
Recent oil paintings by
Caroline Jasper
Feb 1- Mar 10, 2001
Artist Reception
Sat. Feb 3, 2001 6-9pm
Mill River Gallery at Historic Oella Mill
840 Oella Ave.
Ellicott City, MD 21043
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