Jordan Clarke - fine artist

Why not hang an original Jordan Clarke on your wall?

Below:   Painting, “Something In-between” hanging on my living room/ dinning room wall.

Art makes a space unique, lively, interesting and beautiful.   Not only does a painting provide conversation for when guests come over,  it becomes a beautiful and meaningful object to enjoy every day.

Don’t think I will ever get sick of looking at this painting

Read full blog post: Decorate your walls

This past September I had solo art show “Something In-between” @ The Hang Man Gallery in Toronto.  The show was a absolute success!   The opening night couldn’t have gone better, the gallery was packed with people and lots of good energy.   My talented friend Jaene Castrillon has created a beautiful promo video documenting my art as well as capturing the buzz and energy of the opening night.  Check out the the video link here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METXnRJQn4w

(If for some reason the link doesn’t work the video title is:  Jordan Clarke, “Something In-between” Art Show)

The last couple months have been hard for me.  All the excitement, anticipation and hard work leading up to the show resulted into somewhat of a crash afterwards.  Good news…. This year I’ve gotten back into the studio and have been working on a few new paintings!!! Exciting:))  I will be participating in a group show this February in Windsor, ON with the Artists of Colour.  http://www.theartistsofcolour.com/index.html The show is titled “When I Hear Music, I See Colour” and I will be showing a new painting which I am hoping to finish this week.  Fingers crossed!

For more details on the show click on the “EVENTS” tab on the left of the screen.

*A sneak peak of my new painting coming soon!!!

The Artscape tenants of Case Goods Warehouse in the Distillery District will be having a holiday open house!!

**Saturday December 1oth from 12-6pm

Come and join us for some wine and cheese and most importantly ART!

I look forward to seeing you!

Artscape Studio # 302

Case Goods Warehouse

The Distillery District

55 Mill Street, Building # 74

Toronto, ON

M5A 3C4

Canada

For more information on the Christmas Market you can check out this link:

http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/

My friend Rema Tavares is doing a very interesting photography project on Canadian mixed race identity.  Rema says, “the aim is to dispel stereotypical depictions of mixed people, but moreover to expose the beauty and diversity of mixed people in Canada.”

Check out her website: http://www.mixed-me.ca/?page_id=260&afg1_page_id=2

Thursday September 8^th was the opening of my art show “Something In-between” @ The Hang Man Gallery.  It couldn’t have gone any smoother!  The gallery was completely packed and full of laughter and happiness.

I would like to send a BIG thank you to everyone who came out to support me and see the art.  I had special guest Kathryn McMillan from “Other Tongues:  Mixed Race Women Speak Out” read a few sections from her story “Whitewashed”.   Kathryn did a fantastic job.  It was really nice to see others react to her touching and honest story of self discovery.

I’ve worked on my “Mask” series for about 3 years now and it feels really good to see the paintings evolve into a body of work.   This series has given me confidence and a sense of pride in myself as an artist but also as a mixed race woman.  I’ve met many other women who have also questioned their identity and who share my story – or one that is similar.

* The show is up until Sept 25th so if you haven’t gone go see it!

Below are photos from the opening night – Enjoy

I am pleased to announce that I now offer reproductions of my art.   It seems that many people have been interested in the painting “Nothing is just black or white”.  I have decided to start offering this painting as an affordable reproduction.

All giclee prints are done on 100% archival cotton canvas using pigmented inks with a superior coating, providing enhanced UV protection and water and abrasion resistance.

“Nothing is just black or white” giclee print, 18”x 24”

$250 (plus $30 shipping, if required)

All prints are done on non-stretched canvas, making it easier for safe shipping and custom framing. (Stretching and framing services are available for an additional fee.)

If you are interested in a print of another painting, please contact me.

jordan.clarke@sympatico.ca

I’m starting to feel like the “fruits of my labour” are ripening and appearing.  And boy do they taste sweet! lol

I was fortunate enough to meet Rema Tavares, an incredible mixed race woman doing big things in Toronto.  She is the writer of Mixed-me.  A website dedicated to bringing knowledge as well as a sense of community to mixed-race people.  Her site covers art, entertainment and literature all dealing with mixed race identity.

So you can imagine how excited I was to find out that Rema would be interviewing me for her site.

Here is the link to the interview – http://www.mixed-me.ca/?page_id=67

If the link doesn’t work her website is :  www.mixed-me.ca the interview is under Posts & News.

Please check it out… Rema came up with some really unique interesting questions making me really think!

Thank you Rema

Detail from “Something In-between”  30″ x 36″ oil on canvas, 2011.  This painting will be displayed at Hang Man Gallery for my show Something In-between this September.

Saturday night was the official opening of Da Kink’ and LOOK.AT.ME Art Exhibition.  The play was awesome, Trey out did herself once again.  All the actresses were excellent, each story told was emotion packed.   I think everyone in the audience was able to relate and connect with at least one of the stories told by each woman.  Da Kink’ is an important play because it shares real stories and real truths of black women and women in general.

After the play came food… Good food – rice and peas, jerk chicken, fruits, cake and of course wine!

The art exhibit curated by Ashley McKenzie-Barnes was displayed along the walls of the 2^nd and 3^rd floors of the Enwave Theatre.  I met some really nice artists and most of the cast of Da Kink’.  By far the best part for me was meeting Trey Anthony herself.  Trey was so humble and kind, she even took a pic with me.  Before I forget I must mention that when introducing the play, Trey came out to B.I.G – Juicy.  So appropriate!

If you still haven’t bought a ticket to see Da Kink’ you really should!  Also, don’t forget to check out the art exhibit … Lots of talented artists indeed, including my good amazingly talented friend Sara Golish!

P.S. All the art is for sale – So support your local artists

*My one regret – I should have taken more photos of the art/artist and actresses.  Next time!

Me in front of my two paintings “White Facade” and “Complex~tion”

Me and Trey

Sara Golish and her beautiful painting

with my hot date – Amy

talking with Sharon Norwood – another talented artist!

I will be having a solo art show at Hang Man Gallery, Queen Street East which is in my hood (yay for the east end!)

I will be in attendance for the opening night, Thursday Sept 8^th and I look forward to seeing you all and hopefully meeting lots of new faces.

- Jordan

Something In-between

Oil Paintings by Jordan Clarke

September 6^th to September 25^th 2011 at the Hang Man Gallery

Opening reception: Thursday, September 8^th from 7 – 9 p.m. (Artist in attendance)

“My art is both a reflection of and a reaction to my society.  Through the act of painting, I aim to create striking pieces of art that provoke debate, thought, and emotion.  Painting has always been the most natural way for me to express myself.” – Jordan Clarke

Artist Jordan Clarke explores her mixed-race identity through paintings of self-portraiture. This series looks at being “in-between” as both a physical and psychological state for bi-racial women of the 21^st century, where there is constant pressure to assume predetermined racial and gender roles created by society.

Clarke most recently received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council.  In 2008, she studied at the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, completing the Drawing curriculum in 2009.  In 2007, she graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design, where she received a BFA majoring in Drawing and Painting.  While attending OCAD, she received the opportunity to participate in the off-campus studies program in Florence, Italy from 2005-2006.

For more information contact Jordan Clarke at: jordan.clarke@sympatico.ca

Hang Man Gallery

Artists’ Network of Riverdale

756 Queen Street East (just east of Broadview)

Toronto, ON

M4M 1H4

www.artistsnetwork.ca/hangman

I’m so excited to announce that two of my paintings will be on display at Harbourfront’s  Enwave Theatre in the art exhibit LOOK.AT.ME. This exhibit will be displayed from August 11th to 21st during the run of Trey Anthony’s well known play ‘Da Kink in My Hair.  I went to see ‘Da Kink the first time it was here in Toronto and it blew me away.  It was such a strong emotion-filled play — the moving stories of women were brought to life right before us.

“White Facade” 18″x24″, oil on canvas and “Complex~tion” 18″x24″, oil on canvas were chosen for the exhibit.  Both are for sale!

*Check out the Harbourfront website for ‘Da Kink tickets…

Support your local artists