Jeannie O'Connor

My studio is in West Oakland, a neighborhood that is transitioning from industrial manufacturing to live-work spaces. I am looking at human spaces in transition. Due to gentrification and redevelopment, many buildings awaiting a makeover are covered in graffiti and multiple layers of paint, becoming like ” found paintings”. These layered wonders suit the process I work with, and also serve as records of these neighborhood changes.

I print the photographic image on clear film instead of paper, adding paint, collage or pastel behind the transparent film image. This enhances the dimensionality already inherent in the transparent positive film. This double layer is scanned and printed up to 60 inches on watercolor or photo luster paper.

Masters Degree in Painting, UC Berkeley
Began to study Photography in graduate school. I was interested in finding a way to combine photography with painting. Architecture is often the subject of my painted photography .I taught drawing, design and photography at CCA , the SF Art Institute and at Berkeley City College.

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

2019 Lensculture Juror’s Award in Portrait series, Karen McQuaid, Photogaphers Gallery, London
2018 NEH Purchase Award, James Hormel Center, San Francisco Public Library , Aids Self Portrait Series
Honorable Mention Awards , International Photography Awards, NY
Honorable Mention, Julia Margaret Cameron Portrait Series
2016 Artist in Residence, Escuela de Arte de Talavera, Toledo , Spain April 4-May 5
Family Portraiture, Richmond Art Center, Juror’s Award
2014 Best of ASMP –American Society of Media Photographers
2012 Artist Residency, Sanskriti Foundation, New Delhi, India Feb. 14-March 15
2011 Best in Show, Art of the Line, Feb. 10-March 19, Sebastopol Center for the Arts,
2008 Art in Public Places Purchase Award, City of Emeryville
2002-6 Artist in Schools Grant, Emery Schools, Emeryville
1984-6 Artists in Schools Grant, California Arts Council
1982 SECA Award, ...

2019 Group Exhibition: Berlin Senate Invitation Program, 50 Years: City Museum, Berlin
Lens Culture Jurors Award, Aperture Gallery, New York City
2018 One Person Exhibition, Los Medanos College, CA
Exhibition- " This Place", Berkeley Art Center
2016 School of Art, Talavera, Spain; Exhibition, " Made in Talavera ", Spain
Artmarket, San Francisco: 2013-2018
2013 Exhibition, Sanskriti, Delhi;
Photographic Portrait of Dolma Ling Nunnery, Dharmasala; publication in Tricycle Magazine