Statement
These paintings utilize the twilight landscape to create an ephemeral, fluid environment. The result is a decaying, yet fertile place where nature's randomness and elegant compositions coexist. I enjoy adding my own twists to harmony, creating a conundrum, making something that is beautiful but sometimes slightly unsettling. Painting becomes a way of visually analyzing and seeking balance, and then deliberately foiling that balance before it gets too comfortable. The creation of a composition is a kind of visual questioning, the answers never lasting, but in the end each painting realizes its own entity.

Biography
Jess Bronk received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She was raised in rural Wisconsin, and as a child spent countless hours in the outdoors, absorbing the beauty surrounding her. Much of her work today is informed by her solitary childhood experiences in the outdoors of Wisconsin. Her work and aesthetic are also influenced by her many travels to Europe and Asia as an adult.
Jess was attracted to the natural beauty of the Northwest and has lived in Portland, Oregon since 2001.

Materials
My paintings are all oil on cradled wood panels that I construct myself. The sides are painted the deep brown ochre to black tone that you see in the darkest areas of my paintings. I use glazing methods to build up thin layers of paint, which creates a luminous quality.

Education
BFA Painting and Drawing, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Continuing Education, Desktop Publishing, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

Exhibition History
2010 Crema, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2010 Metro Vino, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2009 Daily Cafe in the Pearl, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2009 Eco-Expression: Art for Sustainability, traveling group exhibition
2009 WineStock, Oregon City, OR, solo exhibition
2009 Northwest Fine Woodworking, Seattle, WA, solo exhibition
2009 Art Haus, Seattle, WA, group exhibition
2009 Aria Salon, Seattle, WA, solo exhibition
2008 Arleta Library Cafe, Portland, OR, on-going solo exhibition
2008 Vino Paradiso Wine Bar and Gallery, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2008 Art+Palate, Heidi McBride Gallery, Portland, OR, featured artist, exhibition & dinner
2008-2010 Cascade Aids Project Art Auction, Portland, OR, auction donor
2008 Geraldines Counter, Seattle, WA, solo exhibition
2007 Basil Hallward Gallery, Powell’s Books, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2007 Vino Paradiso Wine Bar and Gallery, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2006 Vino Paradiso Wine Bar and Gallery, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2006 Chase Manhatten, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2005 Stumptown, Downtown, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2004 Basil Hallward Gallery, Powell’s Books, Portland, OR, 2 person exhibition
2004 Bread and Ink, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2004 Tiny's Cafe, Portland, OR, 2 person exhibition
2004 Navarre, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2004 Basement Pub, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2003 Windows Alive, Portland, OR, 3 person exhibition
2003 Food Alliance Art Auction, Portland, OR, auction participant
2002 Basil Hallward Gallery, Powell’s Books, Portland, OR, group exhibition
2002 Galerie 2, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2002 Blu Salon, Portland, OR, solo exhibition
2002 Bemis Show, Seattle, WA, group exhibition
2000 Factory Soiree, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI, group exhibition
1993-97 Fine Arts Gallery, UWM, Milwaukee, WI,
         various group showcases of scholarship winners
1995 Main Street Gallery, Waupon, WI, 2 person exhibition