Bob Jensen
-- Artist Biography
My father who was a stone mason and an artist nurtured my interest in art, in a small town in North Dakota.
I completed my undergraduate studies in ND. In 1969, I married and started my career teaching and producing art in Minnesota. After 5 years of teaching, I moved my family to Oregon where I have continued to study, teach and produce, completing my Graduate studies in l985.
I retired from teaching high school art in June 2004. In 1999 I was named Oregon Art Teacher of the Year. During my 32 years of teaching, I also worked as an artist. I create Raku, functional stoneware, and watercolors, which I show and sell at galleries at The Potter’s House Gallery in La Grande , Timberline Lodge and Skamania Lodge and The Geiser Grande Hotel Gift Store.
My work is shown in private collections throughout the country. One of my clay wall pieces was chosen to tour the state of Oregon with a traveling show and was displayed in the State House in Salem. Other pieces have earned Best of Show at SunRiver Art Show, First and Second Place at Wallowa Valley Festival, and Best of Show and Honorable Mention at Season’s Faire, La Grande OR.
Oregon's mountains, lakes, deserts and coastal terrain provide me with a wealth of diverse inspiration. The urge to create has always been a part of my nature. I take great satisfaction from transforming mundane raw material into effective visual statements.
When I am working in the media of clay, I like to produce functional pottery and organic sculptural forms pushing the limits of the clay. Because I was a high school art teacher, I feel that it is vital to be proficient in a variety of media. The challenge of watercolor paint provides me with a contrasting media through which to express myself. When I paint watercolors, I like to use strong color to produce landscapes with dynamic skies. My hope is to visually communicate the beauty and essence of the Lord's creation.
"My work comes to you through my hands .It is a statement of my effort and ability. I am honored that you appreciate what I do."