Jonathan Franklin ART

Brief Statement

              Figurative subjects and portraits have always been central to my work.     

          Whether on canvas, paper, or a mix of media, I enjoy exploring many     

          versions of the face and figurative form we see in our minds eye. 

               As I attempt to portray these images, I wrestle with competing forces of

          harmony and disorder. The shape of this tension is expressed in the form

          of dissonance.  It is a struggle I welcome every day.

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Links to Articles

Devin Rose, Oak Park artist connects with his viewers while painting murals on train embankment, Wednesday   Journal, July 19, 2012.       

   https://www.oakpark.com/2012/07/17/oak-park-artist-connects-with-his-viewers-while-painting-murals-on-train-embankment/

Ken Reif, "Meet Jonathan Franklin," Oak Park-River Forest Patch, May 25, 2012.

    https://patch.com/illinois/oakpark/meet-jonathan-franklin

 

 

PROFESSIONAL  INTERESTS

 

Active Activities

 

Visual Artist - Has been a widely exhibited artist for over 45 years, 

              concentrating on painting and works on paper

 

Teaching Artist - Conceived, planned and taught art and programs with

              students ranging from pre-K  to 8 in public, charter, and parochial

              schools for over 20 years.  Presented professional development art

              workshops for teachers as well as multi-week/month residency

              programs for students that integrated art into the classrooms.   

 

Muralist – Has conceived and created many murals in public and private 

              settings.  Also planned and created numerous murals with   

              students in public school settings

 

Writer - Has written over a dozen short stories, two plays, and hundreds of

              poems.    

              Also dozens of books related to his own artwork, numerous

              children’s books and political parodies based on our Beloved

              DearLeader.

 

Past Activities

 

Set Designer /Scene Painter  (1999-2010) – conceived and built sets as

               scenic designer for numerous theater companies 

 

Mask Maker/Prop Builder (1999-2010) - Conceived and created works for

               many adult and children’s theatrical productions, designing, 

               painting backdrops, constructing sets, also building props,

               masks, puppets, and costumes.

 

Puppeteer (1982-1984) – performed and traveled with Rusty Steiger

               Puppets.   

          

Printmaking Assistant (1979-1981)   

                Artist and Sculptors Studio, Tel Aviv, Israel - was a teaching

                and printmaking assistant as well as printed special artist

                editions.