Gloria Jean Pennington | Dot Painting

This month's theme features artist Gloria Jean Pennington's special technique of Dot Painting--creating color and form on canvas by juxtaposing dots of pure color. 

A Gallery Eleven member artist for over 25 years, Gloria Jean Pennington is especially known for her distinctive dot paintings, a technique she developed from studying Australia's tribal variation of Europe's 19th century "Pointillism." Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso were among the famous artists to explore the technique of creating color and form on canvas by juxtaposing dots of pure color. The Aboriginal dot painting technique evolved from sand paintings as a storytelling medium.

Jean also likes to paint traditional landscapes, which are well represented in this month's exhibit of her paintings for sale in Gallery Eleven's rear gallery. She has won a number of awards in regional juried exhibitions, including Tamarack in Beckley, WV. After teaching art in public schools for 18 years, Jean returned to college in her 50s for another degree in art. In addition to her paintings, Jean's unframed prints, notecards, notebooks, and a variety of handmade ceramic forms are available for sale at Gallery Eleven.

"Painting is like breathing for me," says Jean. "I used to paint in a parking lot while waiting for my daughter to get out of school. Gallery Eleven gives me a place to sell my work and keeps me painting." 

A public reception for Gloria Jean Pennington's Featured Artist exhibit will be held on Sunday, March 23, from 3-5 PM at Gallery Eleven, 1st floor near center court in Charleston Town Center. Join us for an afternoon of art gazing, and a chat with our gallery artists over some fine free refreshments.