A native of New Jersey who grew up in western Kentucky, the artistic nuance of Jennifer Fairbanks-Hayes is currently on display at the Janice Mason Art Museum in downtown Cadiz.
A collection of two series — one being landscapes from earlier in her career, the other being newer floral arrangements — “Flora,” she said, “is a collection of different things,” and special for her to have it all come together in one big showcase.
A soft opening and reception were held this past Saturday, where she was able to pair up with Karen Nolcox’s Trigg County Schools floral design class …
In her childhood, she moved to Murray so that her father could teach at Murray State University. She would later finish an undergrad there before moving to New York City for more than a decade — studying at the Art Students League and New York University to focus on art therapy, before returning to Murray and west Kentucky now 13 years ago.
She said she is trained the closest in classical realism — which emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries by emphasizing traditional techniques and subjects, while focusing on realistic depictions.
It means she focuses on completing a lot of portrait work, still life, landscapes — but “Flora” was a new venture for her.
Often, she catches remarks that her paintings “look like photos,” and she said that in this exhibit, “she’s really trying to bring these flowers to life.”
In her Murray studio, she has classes on a myriad of subjects in two sessions every Tuesday afternoon and evening: 1-3:30 PM and 6:30-9 PM.
Her favorite piece in this show, she said, is the large one up against the contrasting gray wall.
The most rewarding pieces in this show, however, stem from the universal language of the sun.
“Floral” runs through November 28.
Fairbanks-Hayes Contact Information
Web: https://gallery-109.com/
Email: fairbanksstudio@gmail.com
Text, Call: 270-978-1522
