Unforgettable

Jensen by Jim Rogers

I've been haunted by this painting since I first saw it during the Minnesota Watercolor Society Fall Exhibition at the Colonial Church in Edina. I'm sorry my photograph caught a reflection in the glass across the top— please disregard. I visited this little gem several times. What is it about this painting that kept calling me back? We artists try to express what can't be described in words using a visual language created by brush, paint, skill and intuition. It's a deeply personal and often subliminal communication. In Jensen, artist Jim Rogers has created a sensitive portrait that speaks volumes. There is nothing generic about this piece. It's alive. It's personal. It's brimming with subtlety and mystery. What do those blue eyes see? Is she afraid? Perplexed? Is she scolding us? The artist has expressed the essence of this young girl so well, her spirit captivates and stays with us long after we turn away from the painting. The intensity of her gaze and the tangled curls of her hair are reinforced by the cool, dark color palette and loose brushwork of the background. Every choice the artist has made, conscious or not, supports the earnest, inquisitive expression of her face. I like this painting quite a lot. I hope the artist exhibits it in other venues so that you can experience it in person, too.