Jen G
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jeng-art.bsky.social
Jen G
@jeng-art.bsky.social
1.8K followers 740 following 570 posts
Visual artist focusing on contexts and connections.

Comfort the disturbed
Disturb the comfortable

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jeng-art.bsky.social
It was a beautiful night in Quincy. Just passing through. Found a great furniture/antique/hot tub store!
#autumn #quincy #Illinois #midwest #photography #goldenhour
A sunset sky, a tall modernist church spire and a golden tree on an autumn evening. A tree with golden leaves just outside a stained glass window with similar colors.
November 23, 2025 at 1:47 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
The Girl
8”x 10”
Intaglio print

Looking through storage and came across some works from the early days. I made this print in high school, 1990.
#intaglio #handmadeprint #printmaking #BlueSkyArt #art
A black and white image of a girl’s face.
November 22, 2025 at 4:09 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Epstein Shoes
2025
found objects, acrylics

This new work will be available @p_s_won Surreal Emporium as part of Dada Prom in Iowa City next month.

#believewomen #epstein #child #woman #feminist #feministart #dada #surreal #shoes #adult #heels #BlueSkyArt #politicalart
A pair of worn white baby shoes with a black high heel painted on the side. A pair of worn white baby shoes with a black high heel painted on the side. The box they are sitting on has this text: YOUNKER 'S Sample No. Size MRS. DAY'S Ideal Baby Shoe TRADE MARK REGISTEREE DANVERS, MASS. 308 LACE LAST 4C. C WAT A pair of worn white baby shoes with a black high heel painted on the side, nestled together. This artwork by Jen Gauerke satirizes recent statements normalizing intimate acts with children.
November 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
I focus on the beautiful parts of life.

#BlueSkyArt #acrylics #painting #sunset #nature #art #color #magicalrealism #magic #comfort #beauty #bench #fireflies #artyear #artist #dandelion #sitwithme
Blues, greens, white and a hint of orange denoting trees at night and fireflies with halos of light.
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
details, Bench
48”x 60”
acrylics on canvas

The shift in the content of my work is about providing comfort in these times. I thought it was for others, whoever buys it, but realized through the process of painting that it’s also for me. While I’m painting I get to immerse myself in magical realism.
Blues, greens, white and a hint of orange denoting trees at night and an edge of the bench. Blues, greens, white and a hint of orange denoting trees at night and a small dandelion puff. Blues, greens, white and a hint of orange denoting trees at night and the white bench in center, highlighted grass illuminating your path forward to sit. Blues, greens, white and a hint of orange denoting trees at night with bits of the sunset sky peeking through.
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Coon Creek, Nov 2025
Watercolor sketch
4” x 8”
A watercolor sketch of a creek by Jen Gauerke, with the creek in the background.
November 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Shadows dancing on one of my canvases, in progress.
November 14, 2025 at 11:44 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Work in progress
Kept the door knob in the pic for a sense of scale, it’s a doozy!
Decided to add fireflies, next to add their glow. Also working on the trees. So close!
A painting of a white bench in tall grass, trees in shadow behind it, backlit by the sunset. It is hanging on a wall next to a door. 48”x60” A painting of a white bench in tall grass, trees in shadow behind it, backlit by the sunset. 48”x60”
November 12, 2025 at 4:18 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Folding child’s chair from a thrift shop, hardwood with steel pins (don’t make ‘em like they used to). Considering using it as a frame for this color study from college.

#Abstractart #acrylics #color #art #painting #framing #BlueSkyArt #artyear #stunday #creative #process #artprocess
A wood folding chair is flat on a wall, with an abstract geometric painting (in greens and oranges) where the seat would be.
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Faceless Woman
graphite and crayon

Based on a visual dream, these dreams without explanation are food for my soul. It’s not a dream with a narrative, it’s just images, like gifts from a muse.
#surrealism #feministart #surreal #dream #image #BlueSkyArt #artyear #faceless #woman #art
A head and neck of a woman with eyes closed, red covering her hair. A blue swirl in the background. Three small puddles of orange in the foreground. A poem about the Faceless Woman is illegible.
November 6, 2025 at 10:55 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Altar of Existential Joy
20”x14”x8”
Found object and acrylics, in collaboration with Steve Hosch (print) and Mike Christoff (photograph)

I lay in a field of flowers, taking joy in the moment, the beauty, the fragrance, the symbolism.
A wooden box with a peaked roof hangs on a wall. Inside flowers are painted realistically (crocus, marigolds, calla lily). At the upper center sits a skull among prairie grasses. In the distance a dark mountain range with stormy clouds above. A close up image of the inner part of the box, the painted flowers (artist Jennifer Gauerke), the skull print (Steve Hosch), the photograph of the mountain range and stormy sky (Mike Christoff). With a lit candle in the foreground.
November 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Work in progress
a little altar for existential joy

Collaborating with a printmaker and photographer (partially shown), utilizing a found wood structure.

#art #collab #altar #floral #painting #acrylics #crocus #marigold #calalily #BlueSkyArt #natureart #artyear
A black background with flowers painted around the border - crocus lower left, marigolds lower right, cala lilies upper right.
November 1, 2025 at 4:31 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Herman, the Grim Reaper

7 layers:
Dropcloth soaked in cement
Monster mud
Dark exterior paint
Green acrylic texture
Black acrylic in folds
Sponge on light patina
Black spray paint interior

Life size art is a different experience. It’s like I have another pet, who I love and need to take care of.
A grim reaper sculpture sits on a beige suburban porch, with red roses in the foreground. A grim reaper sculpture sits on a suburban porch at night, illuminated by a green spotlight This is in Herman in process, painted half white and half blue because that’s Th e leftover paint I had for the Monster Mud layers. Monster mud is equal parts latex house paint and cement. You can also add things like drywall spackle or caulking to beef it up. Initial sketch for Herman, showing the armature - bucket of cement, mop handle stuck into it. Mannequin head stuck on top, hanger covered with towels, taped to the mop handle, for the shoulders. Two random boards wrapped with towels for the knees. Covered everything in a plastic drop cloth, including the bench.
October 27, 2025 at 1:54 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
This is how it’s going, the progress pics are exciting to me, but may be very confusing to you.
Why is my new friend (Herman, I’ve started calling him) gray, then half white and blue? Because the first layer was concrete, which wasn’t strong enough so I added my concoction of monster mud.
Concrete sculpture of hooded figure. Concrete sculpture of hooded figure, now with patches of white and light blue.
October 22, 2025 at 10:20 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Tropics
9”x12”
Analog collage and acrylics
on paper

Someone left a stack of infomercial type magazines outside my office and no one wants them. So now I get to have fun with repetition!

In this artwork by Jen Gauerke a repeating parrot image is scattered around, with water in the lower section with some yellow patches. Palm type leaves are above with a swoosh of blue indicating sky. A somewhat abstract work. An in process detail of artwork by Jen Gauerke - a repeating parrot image, Palm type leaves are above with a swoosh of blue indicating sky. A somewhat abstract work.
October 18, 2025 at 3:37 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Käthe Kollwitz
Lamentation
and Self Portrait

Käthe was a German Jewish artist teaching during the rise of Fascism. I connected deeply with her work years ago during a time of deep grief. In our current events her work means even more.

An irregular shaped bronze sculpture depicting a woman’s worn face, one hand over an eye, the other hand across the mouth holding the wrist of the other hand. Description of the previous photo: Käthe Kollwitz German, 1867-1945 Lamentation, 1938-41 bronze In this sculpture, a woman with lowered eyes covers her mouth in an expression of intense but silenced grief. Her features resemble those of the artist, Käthe Kollwitz. The first female member and titled professor at the Prussian Academy of Arts, Kollwitz was known for her empathetic depictions of tragedy and hardship. This work is her response to the death of a close friend, sculptor Ernst Barlach (1879-1938), who had suffered persecution by the Nazi (National Socialist) regime. Kollwitz also faced censorship and oppression by Nazi authorities and was forced to resign her teaching position at the Academy in 1933. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr. 593:1958 A bronze sculpture of an older woman’s head, worn face, very realist. An honest depiction of the toll of age and grief. Description of the previous photo: Käthe Kollwitz, German, 1867-1945 Self-Portrait, 1926-36 bronze Museum Purchase 8:1942 In this remarkable self-portrait, Käthe Kollwitz captured signs of aging with uncompromising realism. She is primarily known for her prints, but she also made a number of sculptures. Kollwitz struggled with this work for years. In a diary entry from 1928, she wrote, "I'm working on my sculptural self-portrait, cursing and ranting . .. but I can't let go. Every day ends with a new illusion and the next day begins with angry depression."
October 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Patina details from Bellefontaine cemetery,
St. Louis

#cemetery #funeraryart #metalarts #Sullivan #patina
Mausoleum door with an angel relief and spiderweb design window above the head. Mausoleum door (Busch) with repeating motifs around a circle design with central door handle. Likely by Louis Sullivan detail of headstone of a child- a Victorian era photo of a young girl, set in a bronze frame with green patina, below it the chiseled word: DIED The most sexy fire hydrant I’ve ever seen! An hourglass figure and bronze fittings, now patina green.
October 12, 2025 at 11:15 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Beautiful statuary
@ Bellefontaine cemetery,
St Louis

#photography #statuary #cemetery #mourning #art
A hooded figure A hooded figure sits with hands in lap Looking over an angels shoulder. An angel with long wings and prominent fringe watches over a tomb.
October 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Woman in an Alley
From Edwardsville, IL
10 Oct 2025

#photography #urban #art #statue
An un-named and un-attributed light stone statue of a woman stands in a dark alley at night.
October 11, 2025 at 4:58 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Ibis Flight
watercolor and graphite
inspired by photo posted by @azmerm.bsky.social
A watercolor and graphite sketch by Jen Gauerke of an ibis taking flight, close up on wings, iridescence reflecting. Photograph of an ibis taking flight by @azmerm
October 11, 2025 at 3:33 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Kite Lake peaks
watercolor
Thank you card for my partner for being so supportive when I had a rough couple of days (years?)
A watercolor by Jen Gauerke of a mountain scene with pine trees and irises in the foreground.
October 10, 2025 at 12:48 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Collage and gouache
Mixed media art by Jen Gauerke, a black and white image of a woman holding her head in her hands, hair in the style of bride of Frankenstein but in deep blue green with pink/purple streaks.
October 9, 2025 at 2:58 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Night shadows from the moon and creepy full moon with clouds. Captured well with my IPhone camera. Thank you moon, you’re lovely!
#fullmoon #Halloween #night #landscape #photography
Dark trees and their shadows at night, full moonlight. A bright full moon in the sky, lighting up patchy clouds.
October 8, 2025 at 4:27 AM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Houseplant
#sketchdaily
#sketch #plant #art #BlueSkyArt #artyear
A pen sketch of a trailing houseplant.
October 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
jeng-art.bsky.social
Haunted House Challenge
This was a fun #gouache painting that I made yesterday, inspired by listening to the Ray Bradbury book, From the Dust Returned. If you make a haunted house, I’d love to see it, we could make a whole neighborhood together!
#hauntedhouse #hauntedhousechallenge
A painting by Jen Gauerke of an old Victorian home at night with a full moon and whisky clouds at night. (darker exposure) A painting by Jen Gauerke of an old Victorian home at night with a full moon and whisky clouds at night. (Lighter exposure) Beginning of the painting, mostly white page with the basic structure of the house sketched out in sepia tones.
October 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM