Studio Visit with Jesse & Elaine Greenwood- Tucson, AZ
Last week we took to the road to chase the solar eclipse and found ourselves in Tucson, AZ. The artist couple, Elaine and Jesse were our destination along with the poetic landscape of the desert.
Elaine and I met when we were six years old at a summer camp. We became pen-pals in first grade- writing gel-pen decadent and sticker filled letters from California to Montana and back. As we grew with age and height together we noticed the serendipity of our parallel lives. Eventually we both studied art in college and began to see the unique connection between spiritual formation and art process we shared. We share many of the same loves (dark chocolate, swimming, quality linen, coffee, poetry) and ended up being each others bridesmaids and adventuring the world together.
Elaine Greenwood is a poet first and foremost. Our early letters pointed to her lyrical way of expression and clarity of voice. She showed me her outdoor “art studio” of the Sonora desert- taking me on a long hike through the saguaros, crossing rivers and swimming in waterfalls. The language of her work speaks to the tactile soul of objects and intimacy with the internal world of being. She is also a textile, ceramic and mixed media artist with a blooming portfolio of raw beauty- mixing craft, words and conceptual sculpture.
Jesse Greenwood is a talented oil painter exploring exciting new ways of expression this season. We had the joy of visiting his adobe studio tucked away in the historic Tucson district. Jesse is intuitive with taste, color, light and sense of place. Formerly a chef, meals made by Jesse are some of the most memorable and excellent experiences of culinary creativity. He incorporates plein air style into his studio practice and can be found scaling a hillside for the best view with his pallet and easel in tow.
Entering into the dusty light of the ancient adobe room, the walls held surrealist scenes of coast lines, forests, mountains and familiar places. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude arose as I stepped into the artistic universe of my friends.
Jesse shared about new inspiration and a recent discovery of the Nabis painters. The Nabis took their name from the Hebrew word for “prophets”. This short period of art history from 1888-1900 helped usher the transition of impressionism to abstract art. These young Nabis artists hoped to transform the foundations of art. The had a semi-secret society of painters who were whimsical, playful, humorous and yet serious about their art. They developed new ideas and rejected the materialism and status quo. This small group of French artists over a century ago has left a legacy that continues to push contemporary artists into new ways of considering their work against the backdrop of modern society.
These two are boldly, humbly and bravely perusing art through the way they live their lives. They recently wrote an updated manifesto: Our work is to daily turn towards Truth and Mystery in our art studios and relationships. To be honest in our conversations and our creations and to share our art boldly. To listen well and without judgment to the truths told by the artists and the artwork of our community. To bravely walk towards Mystery, hand-in-hand with our friends and fellow artists.
Similar to the Nabis, I am witness to a small group of artists is forming world wide that seeks to go beyond materialism and push into the prophetic and ancient depth of creation that causes us to SEE a glimpse into mystery and wonder through paint, words, photographs, stories and community.
*If you’re interested in becoming a patron of Jesse and Elaine, you can learn more here or contact them through their websites about commissions and collaboration.
image in St. Xavier Church, Tucson
