Grace Jara

Born Grace Hills, in Santiago, Chile, Grace grew up in the mountains of Coya where she acquired her love of nature, horses and independence. Grace's art career began at the Instituto de Bellas Artes, Santiago, Chile and later at the Art Student's League in NYC, where she studied sculpture, print-making and oil painting. Grace's Exhibitions reflect her progression from a local New York artist to an international artist, and her current works in the Gallery give a sampling of the quality and range of her work.

Artist's Statement

My artistic life has been a work in transition, an intimate journey on which I am still exploring my ultimate expression.

I wish I could describe the urge to create - where it comes from and what is the moment of inspiration. But, it comes from many different sources. Sometimes triggered by people and happenings, and other times, by dreams and vague visions. It is nonetheless a strong, immediate and demanding urge which I am obliged to respond to.

For many years I concentrated solely on printing techniques (intaglios, hand-colored etchings, monoprints, etc.) to the exclusion of other media. But now I spend a great deal of time creating with oils and acrylics as well. The image has now become selective of its media and follow-through.

My work is subjective and answers only to what I feel at the moment. Where before, reality and acceptance were of great importance, now I find my own vision and personal interpretation of form in line and color is all that matters.

Grace Jara