Ink

Exploring mono-print while living in California broadened my understanding of acceptance and the practice of letting go. Ink behaves unpredictably. As I etched my figures, I couldn't wait to see the mirrored images looking back at me.

Oil + acrylic paint

During a class critique in college one of my painting professors said to me (in front of the entire class) "When you ain't got nothing, you got nothing to lose". I don't think I ever saw that man smile.

Acrylic + permanent markers

Hand me a fresh acrylic paint pen with a finely pointed brush tip, or a crisp dense smelly permanent Sharpie, and my night is made. And so are my Cards of Courage and customized wallpaper. You'll find that the designs and patterns I feature on them begin here.

Swirls: A diary written in paint.

I was out one night with friends in Pilsen. We had just finished an evening pottery class and we went for a drink near Thalia Hall. In front of the venue was promotional truck with a crowd of people around it. Sharpie was launching its newest line of acrylic paint pens and we were smack-dab in the middle of a giveaway event. A brand rep walked up to us and offered free samples. Like a kid in a candy store I accepted as many as I could, I mean they had brush tips!

This moment reignited my obsession with acrylic paint pens. The application of the paint and the internal rhythm of it all hit the spot. I found myself lost in this world for hours at a time, and I was creating my own personal visual language. "Swirling" became my therapy, a release, my diary, and my dog's worse nightmare. He would bark me out of my trances and adorably dog-tilt his head with concern. "Where did you go?"

Well, bub, I went here, into layers and layers of colorfully intertwined mind bends and vibrant chaos. The size of these pieces range from 1 to 4 feet so clearly I had a lot to say.

Pencil

Pencils are where my signature swirls originated. I have always doodled.(Do you recall the scent of a freshly sharpened pencil in elementary school?) Pencil work can be revealing—it provides insight into the artist. It can also get you into trouble at school.

JORIE at home is a subsidiary of JB Gillis LLC, a woman-owned and operated company that focuses on philanthropy and design. For every sale made, a portion is contributed to non-profit organizations that assist those facing a health crisis. Learn more at artsofcourageproject.com and jorie.me/shop-packs.

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