Mariposa, the Spanish word for butterfly, references S.C. Jean’s growth and evolution as an artist. The Okanagan-based artist titled her exhibition Mariposa to embody the theme of change. For the artist, change is one of the most significant forces at play. An ever present element, infinitely occurring on multiple levels, feeding back into itself creating further and deeper expansions. The artist has attempted to capture this sense of change through brushwork, mark-making, colour and composition that, though static in reality, visually continues to change as the viewer observes her work.

Mariposa includes a selection of painting and drawing works, all of which feature Jean’s signature style of mark-making. All the works in the exhibition consider the ways in which the artist has grown as an artist since being involved with the Alternator as a loyal member and active volunteer. The four works on canvas were intentionally created for Jean’s exhibition. Reflecting on her time spent as a member of the Alternator community, Jean attempts to render her gratitude and admiration through painterly mark-making and use of colour. Alongside the large paintings are a series of small ink drawings, many of which were created while volunteering at the Alternator as a gallery host. This body of work reflects on Jean’s time spent participating with the Alternator community; crediting the community for pushing her to be artistically bold and for opening the door of wonder into the world of art.

S.C. Jean is an artist based on Okanagan Sylix territory in Kelowna where she has lived and worked for the past thirty years. A self-taught artist, in 2012 Jean felt compelled to take up painting and has continued in earnest to develop her style. Jean has shown her work in numerous exhibitions throughout the Okanagan region including at the the Lake Country Art Gallery, the Peachland Art Gallery, the Penticton Art Gallery, the Kelowna Art Gallery and the Alternator Center for Contemporary Art.

Stories in My Pocket was an exhibition by artist S.C. Jean. The local artist invited viewers to take a peek inside her mind, process, and stories by sharing a collection of acrylic and oil paintings in her debut solo professional exhibition.

Curated by OAAA Board Members Patrick Lundeen and Dylan Ranney, this exhibition was an initiative to support a celebrated and active member of the Okanagan’s creative community. Lundeen and Ranney provided support for Jean through studio visits and artistic development to contextualize her work for the Alternators Main Gallery.

As a self-taught artist, Jean developed her own unique artistic voice outside of a typical institutional setting. As Lundeen describes, “Jean has not been subjected to [institutional training], and her work remains raw and filled with her own idiosyncrasies. These works are also not the work of your typical “Sunday painter”, but rather have a visceral and expressive quality that is extraordinary, unique and affecting”.

Jean's work drew from sights, sounds and emotions, and centred on deeply held experiences and memories. When Jean approaches a new work, she looks towards her inner-child, and paints to recollect another time; another place; and other circumstances through an abundance of textures, lines, colours to create vibrant portraits, landscapes, and scenes. 

S.C. Jean is a self-taught painter whose impressionistic paintings are drawn from sights, sounds and emotions, and centred on deeply held experiences and memories. When Jean approaches a new work, she looks towards her inner-child, and paints to recollect another time; another place; and other circumstances through an abundance of textures, lines, colors to create vibrant portraits, landscapes, and scenes.

Sandra Cook’s artistic efforts are concerned with growth and self-expression, and are influenced by the sights and sounds of everyday life in the Okanagan. Cook takes inspiration from the local community; all the art, music, and smiles she has experienced at the hands of those she meets within the wider arts community.

In The S.C. Jean Collection, Cook’s work reflected the memories she has made and collected over the years in both old and new works. Using acrylic paint, Cook approaches painting with spontaneity, intertwining the wonder and awe, and sometimes the sadness and grief, of life. Through her acrylic paintings, she aims to create an experience in time that is left to stand still.