"Projecting Identity"

Sometimes we are lucky enough to witness a remarkable piece of artistry before it has become familiarized with the general public. In these instances we feel privy to a special bond with the responsible artist, an almost instantaneous friendship wherein we have recognized their great skill and are sharing in on the as-of-yet secret wonder they have created. Of course these feelings are almost always temporary, as the art travels to the mainstream our simple adoration becomes more and more commonplace, left with no space from which to argue any form of privilege or special benficiance. As this occurrs we dreamily recall the past where our praise was not only guaranteed to reach the author, but also to be taken relatively heavily by their egoes and even probably given a response. This state is never as good as we try to remember it, but we hold fast until the next big thing comes along to claim our attention all over again.

The above described phenomenon happens in all mediums of art and is a constant subject of critics from all fields (I can personally remember several heated discussions from high school where a persons' early adoption of certain rock bands could make or break their social reputation). Lately I was most fortunate in not only being party to a group of people appreciative of a new creative force (at least new to rest of the world), but also to have witnessed this person develop as an artist over the last six years that I have known them. The experience is one for which I will be forever grateful.

"Projecting Identity" is the name of the show to which I am referring to and the painter's name is Jess Cross.

For more information (and to see more of Jess' art) please visit the two websites listed below.

jesscross.com
qbixart.com

Note: The painting above is titled My Name is Andrea and measures 30 x 40 inches. All of Jess' work in the show "Projecting Identity" are oil paintings on canvas.