Jean Campbell’s Frequently Asked Questions
Biographical Information
Q. How long have you been painting?
More than 50 years.
Q. What made you decide to become an artist?
I have early memories of wanting to make art. My mother was very artistic, and I loved doing this type of thing with her. She painted, mostly in watercolors, and frequently attended creative workshops, such as ceramics. Once she took a cake decorating class where she brought home a magnificently decorated cake every week. We all love that one!
We did lots of creative things at home during the holidays, like decorating cookies to hang on the Christmas tree or hand-painting eggs for Easter. So, to answer the question, I would guess that my mother strongly influenced my artistic longings, but I don't think I ever made a decision; it was just something I knew.
Education
Q. How did you learn to paint?
I always loved art class in school. Art was where I excelled, and it felt good because I surely wasn't going to win the spelling bee or kill it on the debate team.
I was ten years old when I took my first formal painting class. We lived in Winter Haven, Florida, and Mom found a studio that taught painting on Saturdays. I remember really enjoying the classes. The teacher used oils, and I still have a couple of the pieces I completed at that time.
Q. Where did you go to school?
I attended the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1981 with a concentration in painting. While there, I received the Excellence in Studio Art award in my senior year. I enjoyed my time at UM and planned to continue painting as my career.
Career Path
Q. How did painting as a career work for you?
Well, at the start, not great. I did a few shows early on and entered competitions, but I didn't get much positive response, and the money wasn't coming in. I guess you could say I gave up the notion that my job would have me sitting at an easel every day, but I never gave up the idea that I was a creative, and so creativity was a feature in all the jobs I took.
For instance, I landed my first professional position as an advertising director at a computer retail chain. My interview was to be about providing illustration work, but the woman whom I was supposed to meet had since left her position. Somehow, I ended up with her job. They gave me a Mac and a stylus, and a lovely soul named Klina Dupree, who I wish I could find and thank, taught me how to use the tools. One thing I can say about myself is that if you give me something to make art with, I'm going to be able to use it. I learned to create images on that computer. I recall overhearing the store manager talking to the owner on the phone, saying, "I don't know how she did it."
That serendipitous happenstance would be the start of decades of computer graphics in various forms.
All the while, I continued to paint… on canvas, on my walls, for my babies' nurseries, and so on.
Artistic Process
Q. What do you strive for when you paint?
My work often depicts simple, ordinary objects or creatures pulled from the garden or everyday life, where I see something more. The truth is, I paint light. I sense some message in the captivating play of sunshine against shadow, much like the feeling of a lingering dream that you can't quite remember. Visions of gorgeous, natural light endow me with a wave of feeling as though I almost understand life. These moments give me a strong awareness of the importance of interconnectedness. The inspiration is so soothing and fleeting that I want to capture it, record it, and share it with every person that comes along.
Q. What media do you use?
Although I started with oils, discovering acrylics was like Christmas for me. The same workable ability, without the smelly, messy paraphernalia required by the medium of oils, was liberating. I like to work fast with my strokes and paint application.
Q. What size are your paintings?
To date, my smallest piece was a 6" x 6" still life, and my largest is a 4' x 4' wall hanging, so I've got quite a variety of sizes. Currently, my reproductions range from 6" x 8" to 18" x 24."
Q. How about commissions?
I do take commissions, but only if I know I can do well. My husband asked me the other day to paint a photo he had taken of a busy street corner in France. My first response to him was, "That doesn't look like something I would paint." I might give it a try to stretch a little, but it would be unfair for me to accept a commission for something I'm not sure I can do fabulously.
I mostly work from photographs, but they have to be good photos with great light, so commissions require a lot of back-and-forth with the client. I'll always retain the right to say, "I can't do an adequate job with this photo as a reference." However, I can take a photo I know will make a good piece. If a prospect wanted a certain still-life setup, let's say a sunflower with a bird sitting on it, I might take photos or find stock photography online, put it together with Photoshop, then send the client the digital image I plan to work from. I wouldn't start until both parties, myself and the client, agree to the composition. I give an estimate based on size and complexity, and require a 1/3 down payment to start.
Available Art
Q. How much do your pieces cost?
My pieces range from around $200 for smaller pieces to over $4500.
Reproductions of some of my paintings are also available for folks who want to collect art but can't afford an original. Everybody should get to own art if they want it.
Q. Where can I purchase your art?
I have an Art for Sale section on this website. I also participate in art fairs and festivals, and you can find out where on my Calendar page. For local Birmingham folks or those who wish to travel, I'm available to show pieces in person by appointment only. Feel free to reach out through my Contact page, and we can get something on the books!
Q. Are your pieces framed?
Some are, but I tend to use very understated frames, if any at all. All of them have been painted around all four edges, so they are finished and ready to hang even without a frame.
Q. Do you accept returns?
Yes, but because I go to great effort to be very clear about the piece regarding size and color, and provide plenty of detailed images of each piece, I feel the customer knows well what they are getting, so I would not pay for the return shipping, but will refund the cost of the piece once it is returned to me in good order.