Sometimes
we have so many “things to do” that we miss the beauty and energy
that is all around us. I know I let much of the world’s splendor
go unnoticed, because my thoughts are in the future... thinking about
the next thing I have to do. But when I paint, I’m completely
immersed in the moment and truly living in the “now,” enjoying
the mixing of the paint until the color I envision emerges... the
touching of the brush to the paper... watching the paint do it’s
magic. Sometimes I’ve known exactly how I wanted a painting to
look, but lately I carry in my head something Picasso said about
creating... “If I knew what it was going to be before I started,
what would be the point?” So I start with an idea of what I want to
paint, then let my feelings at the time dictate what appears on the
canvas or paper. The end result is more of a “mood” than a
realistic depiction. When the paint dries, I’m always at least a
little surprised. Often I look at a finished painting and say, “Did
I do that?” Well yes... and no. But I was PRESENT when it
happened!
--- jeanne k
Jeanne K. Cochran grew
up in Paden City, WV, and lived for several years in Marietta, Ohio,
before moving to Charleston, WV. Many people know her as “Jeanne
K” from the adult-contemporary radio station, 99.9 FM, V100.
Jeanne
painted with watercolor for a short time as a young adult, but soon
devoted her time to raising her children, and working as the
financial manager for the law firm of Theisen Brock in Marietta.
After moving to Charleston and at the encouragement of her husband,
Jeanne began painting again around 2004. As each painting was
finished it was neatly filed away in a portfolio. In 2007 her
children suggested “framed Jeanne K original paintings” would
make nice Christmas gifts! The folks at Pro Art in Charleston, while
helping her with the framing, invited her to show her work as Artist
of the Month at their Summers Street location. That was the
beginning of pulling those watercolors out of the portfolio, and
putting them in frames, and available for sale! Since then she has
had successful showings at FestivAll in Charleston, Cynthia Bickey
Art Gallery in Beckley, Downtown Art Walks in Charleston, Artist in
Residence at Integrated Healing Services in South Charleston, is a
member of WV Allied Artists, the Beckley Art Group, and a
Tamarack-The Best of WV Artist.
Jeanne’s
husband, Ric, writes haikus (a Japanese form of poetry) for all her
paintings... which are sometimes touching... sometimes playful. In
addition to his West Virginia Radio Corp “Voice of the Valley”
show, Ric is also a talented musician. Their home reflects the
creative spirits of both Jeanne and Ric... a piano, guitars, books,
journals containing reflections and poetry, paintings... the arts all
over the house! (And a few dog and cat hairs.)
