Metamorphosis

"I had a resurgence of inspiration as a painter when my daughter turned five years old. I taught portraiture to a kindergarten class focusing on self-decoration, traditional costume and identity. I used the Metamorphosis painting as an example of how my Irish heritage inspired me. In the portrait, I am wearing an Irish linen shirt decorated with ancient double labyrinths. The labyrinth patterns become part of me, weaving into my hair, the earth's plants, leaves and bug wings. An artist is reborn from the dead plants, she is also a mother." -Jennifer Iwasyk

Photos courtesy of Iwasyk.

Jennifer Iwasyk has lived in Providence for 25 years. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware and came to Rhode Island to study illustration and painting at Rhode Island School of Design. Upon graduating, she worked as a muralist painting throughout New England in nightclubs, restaurants, hospitals, private residences, high schools, hair salons, senior centers, casinos and a movie set. Her mural for a Rhode Island State Council on the Arts grant project of historic Providence can be viewed at the Westminster Senior Center on Mathewson Street in Providence. Iwasyk also taught art classes to seniors at the Westminster Senior Center and to children throughout Rhode Island.

Iwasyk's portraits convey her love of her diverse community of local residents such as fellow artists, storytellers, businesswomen, activists, children and animals. She reflects on portrait painting, "I feel honored to hear the stories of an individual's life and learn about cultural traditions and perspectives different from my own."

She looks to her community libraries, parks and public spaces for inspiration. Iwasyk has just finished several paintings of Swan Point cemetery inspired by the old stone walls, the Seekonk River, the eclectic species of trees, not to mention the silence. You will continue to get a local's perspective through viewing her paintings. Her work has been shown at AS220, "The Gift of Art Show", University of Rhode Island, Island Arts Gallery, Hera Gallery, TseTse Gallery, Mathewson Street Gallery and presently some of her work is on view at Studio Hop in Providence.

You can also view Iwasyk's work if you friend her on facebook, a blog of her work will be coming soon!