VANCOUVER – Painter and printmaker Jeannie Moreno is exhibiting two distinct bodies of work in the Washington State University Vancouver Administration building gallery through July 18. One series of work focuses on the images and patterns in Native American trade blankets. The other series uses the image of teacups.
The Blanket series was inspired by an exhibit of glass artist Dale Chihuly’s artwork that showed both his private collection of trade blankets and the glass piece he created based on those blankets. After seeing that exhibit, Moreno began looking closely at the patterns and images in those blankets and created her own body of work. Moreno’s blanket paintings show tiny pieces of the blanket’s pattern. Each painting shows geometric forms; some seem completely abstract while others reference landscapes or other forms.
The Cup series uses images of teacups, both figuratively and abstractly. Moreno uses flowery decorative patterns in some pieces giving the paintings a domestic feeling. In her teacup prints Moreno juxtaposes the smooth teacup form with images of barbwire or lets the teacup itself become a dark shadow. The prints show a sense of drama and ambiguity.
Moreno says of her work, “I strive to find the unexpected so that a common shape becomes new and inspiring, and the palette both pleases and surprises.” Moreno achieves that in both of the series showing at WSU Vancouver. The common objects of teacups and blankets take unexpected and beautiful forms in her artwork.
Entry to campus exhibits is free. WSU Vancouver galleries are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Parking is available at parking meters or in the blue lot for $3.
