Jaren Dahlstrom
Vallejo, CA United States ![]()
Artist Statement The current series of paintings delves into the play of reflected light on water and various other surfaces. I'm fascinated by the fleeting illusions that dance across a liquid canvas, enriching colors through movement and distortin... More
Artist Statement:
Artist Statement
The current series of paintings delves into the play of reflected light on water and various other surfaces. I'm fascinated by the fleeting illusions that dance across a liquid canvas, enriching colors through movement and distorting the ordinary into abstract beauty. Whether it's a canal boat in Venice, a pier, or a humble outboard motor at a local marina, each moment is a surprise, a unique gift. These captured scenes, born from the fusion of light and water, are never replicated exactly, offering a transient yet heightened experience of reality. I term this phenomenon "abstract reality," a realm where saturated colors, bold lines, and shapes converge to unveil the enchanting dance of fractured light, revealing surprising contrasts and fantastical forms.
Biography
Jaren Dahlstrom, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning artist hailing from California, USA, has dedicated over two decades to his series of "abstract reality" paintings. Born in San Francisco in 1945, Jaren has been immersed in the world of drawing and painting since childhood. With an AA in fine art from Contra Costa College and a rich academic journey through Art Center College of Design, California College of Arts and Crafts, and Cal State University Hayward. Jaren brings a wealth of artistic expertise to his cre;ations.
Inspired by the interplay of reflections and light on water, he observed during his upbringing near San Francisco Bay, Jaren's "abstract reality" paintings explore this surrealistic realm. These fractured light paintings explore the concept of reflections generating abstract images, resulting in surprising contrasts, intense colors, and familiar yet new compositions.
Employing computer manipulation to distort reflective photos, Jaren enhances the abstraction, recently adding geometric shapes to these digitally transformed images. His meticulous process involves creating numerous iterations, sometimes exceeding two dozen, before achieving the desired results. The final touch involves producing a digital print, serving as the foundation for the completed painting.
Jaren's artistic journey has seen numerous solo and group exhibition exhibitions, with his work finding a home across California, national, and European collections. Notably, his creations have earned a place in the permanent collection of the New York Folk Art Museum in New York City, NY. Jaren Dahlstrom continues to captivate audiences with his innovative approach to the intersection of art, light, and reflection.
The current series of paintings delves into the play of reflected light on water and various other surfaces. I'm fascinated by the fleeting illusions that dance across a liquid canvas, enriching colors through movement and distorting the ordinary into abstract beauty. Whether it's a canal boat in Venice, a pier, or a humble outboard motor at a local marina, each moment is a surprise, a unique gift. These captured scenes, born from the fusion of light and water, are never replicated exactly, offering a transient yet heightened experience of reality. I term this phenomenon "abstract reality," a realm where saturated colors, bold lines, and shapes converge to unveil the enchanting dance of fractured light, revealing surprising contrasts and fantastical forms.
Biography
Jaren Dahlstrom, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning artist hailing from California, USA, has dedicated over two decades to his series of "abstract reality" paintings. Born in San Francisco in 1945, Jaren has been immersed in the world of drawing and painting since childhood. With an AA in fine art from Contra Costa College and a rich academic journey through Art Center College of Design, California College of Arts and Crafts, and Cal State University Hayward. Jaren brings a wealth of artistic expertise to his cre;ations.
Inspired by the interplay of reflections and light on water, he observed during his upbringing near San Francisco Bay, Jaren's "abstract reality" paintings explore this surrealistic realm. These fractured light paintings explore the concept of reflections generating abstract images, resulting in surprising contrasts, intense colors, and familiar yet new compositions.
Employing computer manipulation to distort reflective photos, Jaren enhances the abstraction, recently adding geometric shapes to these digitally transformed images. His meticulous process involves creating numerous iterations, sometimes exceeding two dozen, before achieving the desired results. The final touch involves producing a digital print, serving as the foundation for the completed painting.
Jaren's artistic journey has seen numerous solo and group exhibition exhibitions, with his work finding a home across California, national, and European collections. Notably, his creations have earned a place in the permanent collection of the New York Folk Art Museum in New York City, NY. Jaren Dahlstrom continues to captivate audiences with his innovative approach to the intersection of art, light, and reflection.
Education:
Education: 1963-1967
Contra Costa College -- AA Degree, Fine Art, San Pablo, CA
Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles, CA
California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, CA
California State University Hayward, Hayward, CA
Contra Costa College -- AA Degree, Fine Art, San Pablo, CA
Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles, CA
California College of Arts and Crafts, Oakland, CA
California State University Hayward, Hayward, CA
Awards & Distinctions:
7th Colors, Fusion Art, Palm Spring, CA, April 10 - July 9, 2023 Awarded: Artistic Excellence
Graphic Designer: Crow-Quill Studios 1971- 2003
Founder & Principal, Creative Director, Art Director, and Graphic Designer for a communication design firm established in San Francisco, CA, in 1971. Jaren has been honored with approximately 100 design awards of excellence for creating outstanding collateral, packaging, corporate identity, websites, and illustrations for many Fortune 500 companies. He was invited to exhibit work at the Special Selection of World Packaging at Toppan Design Center, Tokyo, Japan. He was included in the annual compendiums of outstanding international design: noAH III, IV, and V, books published by the Japan Creator Association, and also featured in the Design Journal, an international design magazine published in Seoul, Korea with a worldwide circulation.
Graphic Designer: Crow-Quill Studios 1971- 2003
Founder & Principal, Creative Director, Art Director, and Graphic Designer for a communication design firm established in San Francisco, CA, in 1971. Jaren has been honored with approximately 100 design awards of excellence for creating outstanding collateral, packaging, corporate identity, websites, and illustrations for many Fortune 500 companies. He was invited to exhibit work at the Special Selection of World Packaging at Toppan Design Center, Tokyo, Japan. He was included in the annual compendiums of outstanding international design: noAH III, IV, and V, books published by the Japan Creator Association, and also featured in the Design Journal, an international design magazine published in Seoul, Korea with a worldwide circulation.
Professional/Teaching Experience:
Teaching: Design and Print Production 1971-1997
University of California Berkeley, CA - Extension (1974-1997)
(established many of the core courses for the certificate program)
Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA (1971-1974)
University of California Berkeley, CA - Extension (1974-1997)
(established many of the core courses for the certificate program)
Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA (1971-1974)
Exhibitions:
One-Person Shows and Small Group Exhibits:
Solo Exhibit 2023, Red Bluff Gallery, Red Bluff, CA, March 4, 2023 - March 1, 2024
Solo Member Exhibit 2023, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA March 25, 2023 - March 25, 2024
Lindsay Dirkx Brown Art Gallery, San Ramon, CA January 3 - 31, 2022
Fusion Art, Artist Spotlight, Palm Springs, CA, August 1 - 30, 2021 and archived
Empty Store Fronts - City of Berkeley, Berkeley, CA (2016)
San Pablo Arts Gallery, San Pablo, CA (Three-Person Shows 2007, 2009, & 2011)
Sierra Arts - Northwest Reno Library Gallery, Reno, NV, July - September 2009
Littman Gallery, University of Portland, Portland, OR (2009)
Villa Montalvo Art Center, Saratoga, CA (1974)
Group Shows
Contemporary Art, MOCAMAG Contemporary Art Museum, Vienna, Austria, August 7 - September 25, 2024
Movement, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, February 4, - March 1, 2024
Latest, Greatest, Artist Alliance, Santa Fe, NM, December 20, 2023 - January 2024
Light and Shadow, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA, November 4 - November 30, 2023
Abstract Thinking, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, November 8 - December 1, 2023
What Moves Art Today, PAKS Gallery, Heidenrichstien, Austria, September 16 - December 19, 2023
ABSTRACT Expression 2023, Red Buff Gallery, Red Buff, CA, September 15 - December 15, 2023
Our Fragile Planet, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, August 16 - September 8, 2023
8th Annual Waterscapes Exhibition, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, August 1 - August 31, 2023
New Work 2023, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, January 11, - February 4, 2023
7th Colors, Fusion Art, Palm Spring, CA, April 10 - July 9, 2023 Awarded: Artistic Excellence
Inspirations 2023, Exhibitzone/Bafarin, Toranto, Canada, April 10 - May 9, 2023
Contemporary Art Artists, PAKS Galleries, Munich Germany, March 15 - September 15, 202
Mindset of Today, PAKS Galleries, Vienna, Austria , January 10 - March 6, 2023
Lust, Artist Alliance, Santa Fe, NM, an Artsy Online Gallery, November 15 - Febuary 15, 2022
Abstract Expressions 2022, Red Bluff Gallery, Red Bluff, CA, September 1 - 30, 2022
2022 Group Show, Fusion Arts, Palm Springs, CA, April 6 - 23. 2022
Landscapes and Seascapes, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, April 1 - May 1, 2022
Art Fair San Francisco, Gallery 308, Superfine, San Francisco, CA, March 3 - 6, 2022
Open Theme: 2021, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach,CA October 7 - 30, 2021
Texture, Forms and Patterns, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, Augsust 5 - 28, 2021
202 The Second Half (50 & Older), Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, July 1 - 31, 2021
2021Summer Open Show, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, June 4 - July 1, 2021
6th Annual Waterscapes, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. May 5 - 31, 2021
Purely Abstract - 2021, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA May 6 - 29, 2021
The Sky's the Limit, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA April 1 - 30, 2021
Colors, 5th Annual Art Competition, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA March 5 - April 4, 2021
Artist's Vision 2021, Marin Society of Artists, San Rafael, CA March 1 to May 1, 2021
5th Annual Waterscapes, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA
Light In The Darkness, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Aqua, CORE New Art Space, Lakewood, CO
California Open 2020, Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
7th Annual Anniversary Exhibition, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA
No Big Heads, University of Alaska, Gallery, Anchorage, AK
City of Berkeley Public Spaces, Berkeley, CA
Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA (Open Studios)
Expressions Gallery, Berkeley, CA (Multiple Shows)
Legacy Gallery, Hot Springs, AR
Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
Sun Gallery, Hayward, CA
Synopsyst Corp. Art Exhibition, Synopsyst Corp. Headquarters, Mt. View, CA
Alameda Art Center, Alameda, CA (Multiple Shows)
H2O, City of Vallejo/US Forest Service, Vallejo, CA
Laguna Arts, Laguna Beach, CA
Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA
Silvermine Guild Gallery, New Canaan, CT
Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verde, CA
CAL Expo, Sacramento, CA
Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
Brick and Mortar Galleries:
TAG Gallery, 5458 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
PAKS Galleries, Vienna & Heidenreichstein, Austria and Munich, Germany
Solo Exhibit 2023, Red Bluff Gallery, Red Bluff, CA, March 4, 2023 - March 1, 2024
Solo Member Exhibit 2023, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA March 25, 2023 - March 25, 2024
Lindsay Dirkx Brown Art Gallery, San Ramon, CA January 3 - 31, 2022
Fusion Art, Artist Spotlight, Palm Springs, CA, August 1 - 30, 2021 and archived
Empty Store Fronts - City of Berkeley, Berkeley, CA (2016)
San Pablo Arts Gallery, San Pablo, CA (Three-Person Shows 2007, 2009, & 2011)
Sierra Arts - Northwest Reno Library Gallery, Reno, NV, July - September 2009
Littman Gallery, University of Portland, Portland, OR (2009)
Villa Montalvo Art Center, Saratoga, CA (1974)
Group Shows
Contemporary Art, MOCAMAG Contemporary Art Museum, Vienna, Austria, August 7 - September 25, 2024
Movement, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, February 4, - March 1, 2024
Latest, Greatest, Artist Alliance, Santa Fe, NM, December 20, 2023 - January 2024
Light and Shadow, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA, November 4 - November 30, 2023
Abstract Thinking, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, November 8 - December 1, 2023
What Moves Art Today, PAKS Gallery, Heidenrichstien, Austria, September 16 - December 19, 2023
ABSTRACT Expression 2023, Red Buff Gallery, Red Buff, CA, September 15 - December 15, 2023
Our Fragile Planet, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, August 16 - September 8, 2023
8th Annual Waterscapes Exhibition, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, August 1 - August 31, 2023
New Work 2023, TAG Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, January 11, - February 4, 2023
7th Colors, Fusion Art, Palm Spring, CA, April 10 - July 9, 2023 Awarded: Artistic Excellence
Inspirations 2023, Exhibitzone/Bafarin, Toranto, Canada, April 10 - May 9, 2023
Contemporary Art Artists, PAKS Galleries, Munich Germany, March 15 - September 15, 202
Mindset of Today, PAKS Galleries, Vienna, Austria , January 10 - March 6, 2023
Lust, Artist Alliance, Santa Fe, NM, an Artsy Online Gallery, November 15 - Febuary 15, 2022
Abstract Expressions 2022, Red Bluff Gallery, Red Bluff, CA, September 1 - 30, 2022
2022 Group Show, Fusion Arts, Palm Springs, CA, April 6 - 23. 2022
Landscapes and Seascapes, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, April 1 - May 1, 2022
Art Fair San Francisco, Gallery 308, Superfine, San Francisco, CA, March 3 - 6, 2022
Open Theme: 2021, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach,CA October 7 - 30, 2021
Texture, Forms and Patterns, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, Augsust 5 - 28, 2021
202 The Second Half (50 & Older), Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, July 1 - 31, 2021
2021Summer Open Show, Falkirk Cultural Center, San Rafael, CA, June 4 - July 1, 2021
6th Annual Waterscapes, Fusion Gallery, Palm Springs, CA. May 5 - 31, 2021
Purely Abstract - 2021, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA May 6 - 29, 2021
The Sky's the Limit, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA April 1 - 30, 2021
Colors, 5th Annual Art Competition, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA March 5 - April 4, 2021
Artist's Vision 2021, Marin Society of Artists, San Rafael, CA March 1 to May 1, 2021
5th Annual Waterscapes, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA
Light In The Darkness, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
Aqua, CORE New Art Space, Lakewood, CO
California Open 2020, Tag Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
7th Annual Anniversary Exhibition, Fusion Art, Palm Springs, CA
No Big Heads, University of Alaska, Gallery, Anchorage, AK
City of Berkeley Public Spaces, Berkeley, CA
Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA (Open Studios)
Expressions Gallery, Berkeley, CA (Multiple Shows)
Legacy Gallery, Hot Springs, AR
Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
Sun Gallery, Hayward, CA
Synopsyst Corp. Art Exhibition, Synopsyst Corp. Headquarters, Mt. View, CA
Alameda Art Center, Alameda, CA (Multiple Shows)
H2O, City of Vallejo/US Forest Service, Vallejo, CA
Laguna Arts, Laguna Beach, CA
Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA
Silvermine Guild Gallery, New Canaan, CT
Palos Verdes Art Center, Rancho Palos Verde, CA
CAL Expo, Sacramento, CA
Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
Brick and Mortar Galleries:
TAG Gallery, 5458 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
PAKS Galleries, Vienna & Heidenreichstein, Austria and Munich, Germany
Artistic Influences:
Historically Monet and Impressionist painters. Then the hard-edge painters of the 1960 -1970s including David Simpson, John Battenberg, Boyd Allan, and Ramos all instructors I have had various times during my educational career.
Artist Tags:
surreal , reflections, geometric, organic, hard edge, colorful, vibrant, dream-like, fluid movement, abstract
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