|
Enter Below to
View Artist
Works
| |
J. Bright Henderson was born in Denver, Colorado under the sign of Libra. Her
artistic genius was observed at the early age of three and has since been
reinforced and expanded with years of serious art training and experience. She
has studied under noted Hawaiian artist Victor Wigington and the late noted
sculptor Frank Morgan of San Diego, California. Jan received an associate of
Arts Degree, with honors, from Mesa College in San Diego and a Bachelor of Arts
Degree, also with honors, from San Diego State University.
Not unlike the masters, Jan's artistic talents are multifaceted. They include
the fields of sculpture, fiber-arts, painting, ceramics, batiks, furniture
design, accessory design, architectural designs, and environmental design. One
of the highlights of her career was being commissioned in 1968 to paint the
life-sized portrait of Fray Junipero Serra for San Diego's 200th Anniversary.
The painting now hangs in the Mission de Alcala, San Diego, California. Other
works are displayed in collections throughout the world including the Jacque
Cousteau Society in Norfolk, Virginia, Jorgen Bechmann of Australia and Doc
McGee of Laguna Beach, California.
Successfully following an art vocation of mixed mediums from the early
1960's, Jan made a major change in 1980 when she targeted her talents to
sculpture to meet the increasing demand by collectors.
Jan has always had a special interest and feeling for the sea and its
children, real or mythical. Her love of these animals, the material she creates
them in and the total enjoyment she experiences in sculpting them, or “play” as
she calls it, is powerfully revealed in the charm, quality, and personality of
each piece.
Expression in sculpting begins as she collects the various raw wood from the
beaches of Northern California and Oregon. These trips are quite challenging in
that the wet driftwood is very large and very heavy to move (some are in excess
of 1,000 pounds), and there are always the obstacles presented by Mother
Nature's rugged shorelines. In most cases, Jan will immediately foresee what the
finished piece will look like.
Some times enthusiastic patrons donate wood. Recently a California Pepper
Tree (over 100 years old) was donated from a museum in Spring Valley,
California. Only one piece is worked on at a time, giving each piece full
concentration with no distractions or change of course in its conception from
beginning to end. The desire to “bring life” to a sculpture is very fulfilling
for Jan and is finally achieved as the final touch in the process occurs--adding
color to the eyes.
Jan gets great enjoyment and satisfaction from the smiles and happiness her
work instantly evokes as people view and touch her sculptures. Her willingness
to share this joy with others, makes the “adoption” of each art piece easier.
Sculptures that were very special to her from the beginning remain in her
private collection.
Because of the high demand for Jan's one of a kind wood sculptures, she has
created special sculptures available in limited and unlimited editions. These
sculptures are cast in bronze, cultured marble, and concrete.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will this art increase in
value as time goes by? Why is your art a good investment? How long did it take
you to do this piece? How do you determine the prices for your paintings
Collectors should purchase a piece of art because
they love it! If the art work lasts the test of time, it is truly an investment
in years of enjoyment and should increase in value.
Over the years my work has consistently increased in value. Original sculptures
in 1980 sold for $84.00. Today they sell for as much as $84,000.00. Collectors
are throughout the world including but not limited to The Jacqaue Cousteau
Society in Norfolk, Virginia, International Artist Jargen Bechmann of Australia
and Bon Jovis’ manager Doc McGee of Laguna Beach, California USA. Art is my
career and a reflection of my love for the subjects created. As an added bonus,
my art creates a special happiness for those who collect or view it. Ninety-nine
percent of patrons viewing my art cannot contain the smile that my art demands
For some reason people want to attach an hourly rate to what a piece of art
should cost.
It takes years of serious study and application to accomplish the skill
necessary to create a work of art. That investment in time and dedication by
artists is reflected in the value they place on a particular work of art. The
demand and availability influences the price as well.
At present, the actual time in days, hours, and minutes it takes to complete a
piece is anywhere from 20 hours to 1000 hours.
2. Do you make a small mold or
drawing of the piece before you actually start on the finished art work?
"That depends." The wood sculptures grow out of the
collected wood (mostly drift wood). It comes from the Northern California and
Oregon beaches. The sculpture is already "IN" the piece of wood. It’s only a
matter of releasing that sculpture by removing the wood that is not part of the
sculpture. I can imagine the finished sculpture at the time I pick up the wood,
so preplanning is not necessary.
The limited editions are a reverse technique from the wood carvings. The limited
editions begin as clay sculptures. Clay is added to create a sculpture. When the
clay sculpture is finished, a mold is set up to the clay and from the mold the
finished sculpture is cast. These sculptures are visualizations in my mind. Some
times live or photographed animals are used—only to be sure the anatomy is
exact.
3. Could we return the art if
it doesn’t look right in our home or place of business?
We’ve all seen art work in books and magazines,
etc. Viewing the art in the room where it will be displayed is a great
revelation. No matter how great the photographer, a work of art cannot be fully
appreciated and experienced unless it is present. For this reason and since we
are dealing with computer images, we ship on approval. You have the opportunity
to see the actual piece of art (sculpture, painting or weaving) to touch it,
experience it, and see how it will enhance your home or place of business. If
you decide it wasn’t all you had hoped for, or it doesn’t fit ship it back. You
have 14 days to decide. The price of the art, crating, shipping and insurance
charges must be prepaid in advance. If you decide to return it, just repack it
in the same crate or carton and prepay the full insurance value and freight.
There will be an immediate refund upon receipt if the art arrives in the same
condition it left my studio. There will be a 10% restocking fee for items under
$200.00 in value.
4. What type and quality of
frames do you put on your paintings?
Frames for my paintings are carefully hand-crafted
by skilled frame makers to exacting standards and in the best of taste to
complement the art. Prices indicated for available paintings include the cost of
these frames.
5. What if I want to buy a
painting unframed?
I would prefer that collectors trust my judgment
regarding frames. If, however, a collector insists on framing the art himself or
herself, my work is sold for 10% less than the prices indicated, which is
approximately the cost of the frames I use.
6. What is your policy regarding
shipping?
Shipping will be paid by the buyer and will be
computed automatically when you place your order using the form provided in this
web sight for items less than 130 pounds. Over 130 pounds will require crating
and shipping. Customers will invoiced for the actual cost of crating, insurance
and freight.
7. Do you sell to the trade?
Trade discounts to dealers,
architects and designers! Call (toll free) 888.7050.1098 or e-mail. Submit your
resale # or have it ready when you call.
|
