danspapers.com DAN’S PAPERS July 30, 2021 Page 69
BY DAVID TAYLOR
Since the age of 13 when her father
gifted her a paint box, Jean Arena
has had a love for painting. After a
successful career in advertising, in
which she developed a masterful
understanding of storytelling, she
poured newfound attention and passion
into her first love—attending the
Art Students League and painting
full-time in her Remsenburg studio.
Here, she discusses her art on the
cover of the July 30, 2021, issue of
Dan’s Papers, her August exhibitions
and more.
What is the name of this piece,
and what is the story behind it?
The name of this piece is “1940 A
Perfect Day at the Beach.” In the past
few years I have been noticing a number
of old trucks on farms and older
cars that have been restored. A year
or so ago I painted a winter scene of
a farm with an old truck on it. It got
a good reaction in a show, and then
it was purchased by a young family. I
enjoyed painting the truck and now I
try to incorporate tractors, cars and
trucks in my paintings.
This is what led to the painting
with the large black 1940s car and
family who are enjoying their perfect
day. It is a picture that I think many
people can relate to either in their
past or present. Three generations—
baby, parents and grandma under the
blue sky and golden sun.
What does your typical art
creation process look like,
and did it differ at all with this
piece?
My typical paintings usually start
with a picture I have taken or one
that a friend sends me. I try to make
most of my paintings relevant to the
area. Places people might like to see
because they can put themselves in
the scene, or so they can just look at
beautiful sky with clouds of different
colors or waves rolling onto sandy
beaches.
What makes this artwork
such an ideal fit for a Dan’s Papers
cover?
The beach is one of those places
almost everyone likes all year and especially
in the summer so it is a good
fit with Dan’s Papers in the Hamptons.
What are your favorite East
End spots to visit in the summer,
and do these locales appear
in your work?
My favorite East End spots to visit
beside the beach are the farms, the
vineyards, nurseries with beautiful
flowers and farmers market and the
ferry from Sag Harbor to Shelter Island
and then to Greenport. I like to
paint people—running, swimming,
biking and kids playing.
I am trying to incorporate people
into my paintings more often. I have
studied portrait painting at the Art
Students League of NY for almost
seven years. I worked many years in
advertising with lots of people and
then studied painting with classmates
and instructors, so working
alone took a while before I felt comfortable
with my choices and style
and also having my work in shows
with others.
What do you find most rewarding
about being an artist?
The most rewarding feelings I
have about creating paintings is that
people are enjoying my work whether
they just get a good feeling when they
look at them or a smile or get a laugh
from them. Or of course if they like a
painting so much that they want it to
be with them in their home. I also get
a great feeling when my grandchildren
think I’m the best artist ever!
Where can your work be seen
in the coming weeks, both online
and up close?
I will be showing my paintings on
Saturday August 14 at the Quogue
Outdoor Art Show sponsored by the
Historical Society, and also on Saturday
August 21 at the Quogue Wildlife
Reserve Art Exhibit.
To see more of Jean Arena’s work,
visit jeanarenapaintings.com.
“MORNING MEDITATION” BY JEAN ARENA
GARY MAMAY GARY MAMAY
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
This Week’s
Cover Artist:
Jean
Arena
JEAN ARENA’S SELF PORTRAIT
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/jeanarenapaintings.com
