This year I’m going to be featuring a different creator once a month. I think art is so important in our lives and being able to share with others and inspire others has always been my goal. With the weight of the world in front of our faces daily, being able to disconnect and create is more important than ever. So, for this first month, I’m so excited to share with you the work and biography of Jeanne Brown. She creates the most beautiful polymer clay beads and makes very unique serving pieces using paint pouring techniques to accompany her work. She sells her work in Mena Art Gallery and American Artisans Eatery Gallery in Arkansas. Please take the time to read her bio, connect with her, and applaud her!
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
About the Artist
I am Jeanne Brown, artist and long-time crafter. I have always found a need to learn new techniques and mediums. Even as a 10-year-old girl, many decades ago, I would walk to the nearest hardware store and scour the paint department for free paint and flooring samples and anything else they might have been giving away that day.
I never really knew what I would make with my newfound treasures, but somehow they usually ended up as decorations, furniture, wall coverings, or any other ideas I could come up with to spruce up my Barbie doll house that I designed from old boxes. My original 1950’s ponytail Barbie in her black and white striped swimsuit definitely had the best two-story mansion in my neighborhood!
Growing up and taking art classes in high school and college, I began to explore charcoal, pen and ink, oils, and numerous other types of art and craft projects.
Never really considering myself an “artist,” about seven years ago I stumbled upon alcohol ink techniques online and joined a Facebook group, Alcohol Ink Art Community, where I discovered a tremendously talented teacher, Sheryl Williams. Her classes were so detailed, and she was so patient and knowledgeable, that I signed up for fourteen of her classes, each teaching different techniques for different subjects.
I discovered that I truly enjoyed creating representational art with alcohol ink—something many people think is tremendously hard to accomplish. Most of my paintings are animals because I love being able to perfect the smallest details, such as an eye, to the point that it looks so real you would think the cat, deer, or other subject is looking directly at you.
However, being an artist and crafter, I am always looking for a new idea I’ve never tried. As a result, I have storage containers and shelves full of many different supplies for projects yet to be worked on!
Around the same time I began using alcohol ink, I also discovered paint pouring in many different styles. As you might imagine, I also have closets full of paint, mediums, varnishes, canvases, and more. I began experimenting with ceramic tile because it’s the perfect canvas for alcohol inks. If you don’t like how your painting looks, you can simply wipe it off and begin again.
I also found how fun it was to do paint pouring on tile. The vibrant colors and variety of techniques make it very versatile.
While living in Florida in an over-55 community, many friends asked if I could teach them how to paint pour. During that time, I taught many classes, sold many of my creations, and formed lasting friendships through the connections made while simply having fun doing what I love.
We now live in rural Arkansas on ten acres of land. The city of Mena is about 15 miles away and features several local art destinations where my work is displayed, including the Mena Art Gallery and American Artisans Eatery & Gallery. Located in Mena’s Art District, these venues attract artists from all over the country.
I have entered numerous national and local art shows at the gallery and in the Cossatot Arts & Craft Shows. I have received an honorable mention, second place, third place, and in 2024, I was honored to receive first place for my painting “Hide and Seek” in the Small Works National Competition hosted by Southwest Artists Inc. in Mena, Arkansas.
I also offer my paintings and many other types of artwork for sale in the gallery gift shop.
American Artisans Eatery & Gallery is a wonderful destination for both locals and travelers to enjoy a delicious lunch while browsing an inspiring variety of art and crafts from local and national artists.
My work displayed there includes ceramic serving trays, wooden charcuterie boards, ceramic coasters, copper and leather jewelry, and various other items.
The trays and boards I create come with a beadable canapé knife purchased from Beadables.com. I make polymer clay beads that coordinate with the tray colors, wrap the knife in a clear bag, and tie it to the tray handles after the piece has been painted, resined, and finished with cork backing. I also create matching drink coasters, usually in sets of four.
I’ve had the pleasure of watching people admire a tray and then discover it includes the decorative canapé knife—often sealing the decision to purchase. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the care and creativity put into each piece are truly appreciated.
Contact
For more information about my artwork, please contact me:
Jeanne Brown
jeanneb09@gmail.com