JEAN CORNELL
About Jean:
Jean N Cornell is a Texas-based photographer who captures our world with a fresh perspective. She has a contagious passion for nature and anything far West
Texas. As the artist explains, "For me, it's all about walking away at the end of the day with that one epic shot." Jean chooses to live life her way, following her instincts, which is evident in her art. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Tech University, which gave her an excellent design background.
However, as far as her photography goes, she is entirely self-taught. Jean has carried a camera for most of her life, which has enabled her to master her craft naturally. As a result, her art has grown from a passionate hobby to a successful enterprise called JNC | MetalPrints.
Reflecting on her art, she explains, "There is something about the stillness of a photo that is completely peaceful." Unlike film, Jean has one frame to capture a perfect moment that otherwise will never be seen again.
Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for daily photos punctuated by wise and sometimes witty observations.
Grand Image: How did you get your start in art?
JC: I have carried a camera in my hand for most of my life. I have sold photography for over 20 years. Several years ago, I survived cancer and was left with a desire to pursue my art with a passion. Life is short, and through my illness, I learned the importance of living in the present. As a result, my art has grown from a passionate hobby to a successful enterprise.
Grand Image: Where are you from and how is that reflected in your work?
JC: I was born and raised a Texas girl. I am a West Texan by nature. Living in West Texas is everything for my photography…from the nuances of our big skies to cowboys, cacti, and dust.
Grand Image: How has your relationship with art changed the way you view the world?
JC: When I was ten, an artist (a painter) went to our ranch with us. I tagged along on her heels and soaked up everything that she said. For the first time, I remember really noticing color through her words…through her eyes. I believe my camera gives me wanderlust. I must keep searching everything around me. It is not an obligation; instead, a necessity for my being.
Grand Image: How do you balance giving space for creativity while meeting deadlines and consistently producing new work?
JC: I enjoy both aspects of my art. But, how I view it is I reward myself for meeting deadlines, etc., by going on adventures to capture what I see.
Grand Image: Do you stay up to date on trends? Why or why not?
JC: I do, but it doesn't necessarily influence how/what I photograph. But I have to say, the obsession with the show Yellowstone has boosted interest in the cowboy way of life. My photography pays homage to a timeless way of life in the West, but it certainly breaks with typical Western art. It takes cues from this genre but with a fresh perspective. The images convey a strong sense of who the cowboy, the livestock, and the land are. The love and respect for this perspective is who I am and what I do, not because it is a trend.
Grand Image: What is your favorite subject to capture and why?
JC: Cowboys are my favorite subject. My art reflects my experience participating in ranch works from chuckwagon meals, wide-open quiet, and this vanishing breed called cowboys. You see, life in the country is a bit slower. But it helps you remember what's important. These quintessential creatures of far West Texas will teach you how to live this life we call good. My passion is to find the transcendent beauty of the West through my lens and bring the viewer with me.
Grand Image: What is your current source of inspiration?
JC: Simply put, my inspiration for my work is this amazing world we live in. Nature speaks to our soul in a language we innately know. We only have to pay attention to delight in the miracles surrounding us.
Grand Image: How do you stay connected in your community?
JC: I am fortunate enough to make my bed in two places...Alpine, Texas, in far West Texas, and San Angelo, Texas, in Central West Texas. I have hung over 200 prints in a hospital in San Angelo. Before starting that long-term project, I had researched the benefits of art in hospitals. I believed what I read, but now I live it. I have had people cry, delight and celebrate my art in the hospital hallways. Taking photographs makes me happy, but when it touches and speaks to others, THAT is the icing on the cake.
I am, however, a sucker for far West Texas. People rely on each other differently when you live in such a remote place. People you barely know call you friend and would do anything for you. This is how life should be.
Grand Image: What does your artwork say about you as a person?
LRS: I hope it shows how happy I am. As I say…I carry my camera with curiosity, humor, and compassion. I post a photograph daily on Facebook and Instagram with a little written tidbit. My followers' feedback is that I am happy and love what I do. They are right!
Grand Image: What artists inspire you? What do you like about them?
JC: Well, initially, I would say it was Ansel Adams. I fell in love with black and white photography when I was first starting out, and I was mesmerized by his work. Presently, I honestly don't look at a lot of other photographers’ work. I chose to follow my instincts instead…what I end up with is more authentic for me.
Grand Image: If you could have your artwork hung anywhere in the world, where would you like that to be and why?
JC: No doubt, I would love to have a show in New York City. I love New York City. I think, in general, people in the city are enamored with cowboy-anything these days. It would be an excellent experience for this Texas girl to show up with boots and photographs depicting my world through my lens.
Grand Image: What is your favorite way to implement self care?
JC: There is nothing that makes me happier than being in the country. As a very young girl, I never missed an opportunity to go with my father on the ranch. Nothing much has changed for me!
Grand Image: What advice would you give someone starting out as an artist?
JC: Start calling yourself an artist before you are ready. Mindset is everything. It helps you start thinking, living, and acting like an artist.