[FAC] Two Friends from L.A. @ FRESNO CITY HALL

[Armando H. Torres]

Two Friends from L.A. 
Jacqueline Koopen & Robert Kirk   July 2 - 30, 2007  - Fresno City Hall, First Floor

Art Hop Reception:
July 5 -  5:00-8:00 PM

Two Artists from Los Angeles, exhibiting together for the first time, are coming to Fresno. One is
a traditional oil painter and the other, a little less conventional, uses acrylic on plexi. Both
have a style all their own, but are bound together by their shared interest in painting. 

Jacqueline Koopen:

I was delivered by my grandmother in their house on Cedarstraat, 
in Ymuiden, Holland. Although, I moved to California at a young age, we traveled frequently to
Europe to visit family. I was inspired by the beautiful architecture, the museums, as well as the
creativity of my mother and grandmother. They taught me that art is a boundless endeavor that
allows oneself to explore personal style and to not be afraid to be true to one’s expression. 

I started working with Plexiglas as a medium while preparing for a final project at the UCLA Art
Gallery. The gel medium that I use creates on the surface a 3-dimensional outline representing the
physical. The color, which is painted on the reverse of the plexi creates a spiritual
relationship, while reflecting it own personality. The paint doesn’t always stay within the
lines much like poetry, which doesn't necessarily have to rhyme. 
     
The subject matter is drawn from my asssociation with the fashion industry and my life in Los
Angeles. The work is created to be shared with the public in the hope that it may illicit a
response and connect with them in a positive way. 

ROBERT KIRK:

I knew early on I was going to be an artist because it was the only thing I really excelled
at in school. I graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa with B.F.A. Degree in Art
in1971. Then a 2 year tour-of-duty in Europe visiting the Tate, the Louvre, the Ufitzi, etc. where
I discovered portraiture was what I found most exciting. I returned to the U.S. and Drake and
completed another B.F.A. in Design in 1976.
     
 After a decade of mostly watercolor painting in San Francisco I moved to Los Angeles in 1988
when I decided to start painting on canvas. After a trip to Morocco I sold a watercolor of a cow
in a field of poppies to Mrs. Johnny Carson. Then I was asked to paint  some dog portraits by
several  celebrities in Hollywood. Word of mouth
got around and I was off. Recently, I have started painting more human portraits which really 
pleases me. Consequently, two of my most two favorite artists are George Stubbs and David Hockney.

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