Celebrating Passion for Art: Finding Passion in People
Like many children Jossy Lownes found solace in drawing. Though art has played a role in her life since childhood, she had other passions to pursue.
“I started out as an art major, but then I ended up in education, so I taught school and taught art,” Jossy said. “But it wasn’t until about 20 years ago that I said, ‘ok, now I want to be an artist.’ So I took it up and started teaching, painting, I had an art supply store, and had a gallery.”
To pursue her longtime interest, Jossy began consuming workshops and classes, learning every technique she could. That training brought out the creative energy that was already there, and she began painting from the heart.
“I’m working from my mind or what I feel,” she said. “I love color and energy, so that’s what I try to get on the canvas. I love to do people, because I want the paintings to be happy, and show that we’re all in this together. I like a lot of gesture and color to show in the work, and make people happy. That’s it.”
What excites her most about her work is the interaction between the color she uses. “It’s the interaction and juxtaposition of colors that excites me. So on some of them I just put a great big swash of color and a color next to it and all of the sudden it’s a bunch of people. I love that!”
Jossy said the Celebration of Fine Art also inspires her work, and she loves the connections she makes at the show.
“Being at this show has been so fantastic because you get to work and try new things, or do whatever comes to you,” she said. “I get emotional because it means so much. They do a great job for us and they’re so supportive. Every artist puts their heart and soul into it.”
