Jessica Foster
Staff WriterArtist Jennifer Rae Ochs, a 1993 graduate of Forest Lake High School, is about to have her work shown in one of the most prestigious exhibits on the West Coast, if not the nation.
Sept. 18-Oct. 17, Ochsí workó ìEmerging Intentî will be on display at Bergamont Station BGH Gallery in Santa Monica, CA.
Located in a renovated historic train station, Ochs described the station as the ìSoHo of L.A.î It is the gallery artists dream of seeing their works displayed.
ìThis particular show, I never even dreamed of it. This is an internationally known gallery,î she said.
An abstract expressionist painter, Ochs took to the canvas 10 years ago out of necessityóher walls were bare.
ìNow Iím to the point where my apartment looks like a gallery,î Ochs, who makes her home in Hollywood, said in a recent interview.
ìI just paint because I need to paint. I love to paint,î she said.
An eager fan of the work of Jackson Pollack, Ochsí work is vibrant and freeócreated, she said, with passion, energy and emotion.
ìI enjoy to be outgoing and charismatic, but I also like the shut-down mode and thatís what painting allows me to doÖshut down and be silent with myself and reflect and release, communicate everything thatís been going on in my soul and my heart and my mind, what Iíve been seeing, what Iíve been feeling and what other energies have been affecting me and how I ìperceive that.î
Describing her work, Ochs said ìAbstract expressionism resonates with some people and yet others canít get a handle on it. I think itís because they get caught up in looking rather than seeing, in thinking rather than feeling. Be it positive or negative, the greatest compliment an expressionist can receive is to know that the viewer was strongly moved in response to your art.î
A decade after taking to the canvas, Ochs is a bit of a perfectionist. Saying she is her own biggest critic, Ochs said she is pleased with the progress she is making.
ìAfter 10 years of practicing I can honestly sit back and say wow, that is beautiful,î she said. ìSome people love it. Some people hate it.î
Work of the artist committed to ìpaint with mad intentî is hanging in four venues and has garnered worldwide attention.
In her day job, the 1997 graduate of University of MinnesotaóTwin Cities is an event producer. In addition to painting, she also keeps busy with fashion design, has co-produced a pilot for a television show, is a classically trained pianist, an equestrian and a world traveler.
ìBeing creative, it provides bliss,î she said. ìItís comfort. It generates enthusiasm, Itís important to be enthusiastic for life. Break through the fear crap that everyone needs to get through to do stuff. Itís ok to hate a painting. Itís freedom. Learn to be free.î
On the brink of success in a variety of venues, Ochs said Forest Lake will forever be her hometown. She thinks fondly of the people she knows here, those who helped her and most importantly, those who raised her.
ìMy parents are fantastic,î she said. Her mom, Janice and dad, Gregory have encouraged her to explore her dreams and have developed an interest in the art world, Ochs said.
While they are familiar with her work, they will travel to California to see their daughterís work at the acclaimed gallery.
Speaking of her daughter, Janice Ochs said she is proud of each one of her children not because of what they do but because of the people they have become.
Still, she is a proud fan of her artistic daughter.
ìIím totally amazed at how she can achieve the color, the texture, the movement,î she said. ìI canít fathom how she can create it. They (her paintings) have a life. They speak life and expectancy. I love the energy of it.î
For more information or to view Ochsí work, go to www.jenniferraeochs.com online.
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