Upcoming Show!

Jordan — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:37:48 +0000

I’m showing work at Swift Wade Gallery for the month of June. The show (which will include new cut-outs, clusters, paintings, paper dolls and illustrations) opens with a First Friday reception on June 3 from 7-10 p.m.

Spring/Summer 2011

Jordan — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:06:42 +0000

Dearest friends, in the event that you’ll be near me this season, here’s a peek at my art & craft show schedule:

May 7: Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa (Athens, GA)
June 3: First Friday art show opening at Swift Wade Gallery (W-S, NC)
June 25-26: Chatty Crafty (Chattanooga, TN)
July 10: The Big Crafty (Asheville, NC)

In the meantime, here’s an update of recent(-ish) work that is certainly well overdue:

Illustration for the Circus without Animals exhibition in Italy

Poster for this year’s Chatty Crafty. I’m so looking forward to this one!

T-shirt design for the band Orbs. Read more about the concept here.

Cover illustration for the summer music festival issue of YES! Weekly.

Of course, there’s always more work updated on flickr, so have a look.

Two Posters

Jordan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 02:02:06 +0000

Two posters made in as many days. For my music playing friends:

And for our local Beard & Moustache Club:

More soon!

Figure Skating Poster Fame

Jordan — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:57:19 +0000

The News & Record, my local newspaper, was kind enough to feature me and my figure skating poster in today’s Sunday paper.

You can read the full article by clicking and zooming in on the last two photos. I’m so honored and pleased with Dawn Kane’s lovely story about me! In fact, It’s been a weekend full of incredible honor. Last night I was awarded my poster competition prize at a gorgeous little ceremony at Green Hill Center. I got a big check (literally, a big huge foam-core check), roses, copies of the poster, and some of the kindest words and sweetest congratulations from a room full of amazing people. I even got to sign autographs! I’m so thrilled by all the good things coming my way from my contest win, and so thankful to all the people making them happen!

Here’s a copy of the poster featuring my illustration, which will be sold at the Figure Skating Championships this week.

My Illustrated Pop-Up Book, Figuring You Out

Jordan — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:49:43 +0000

As started way back in November, I’ve been working on illustrating the inner workings of people and what makes them tick. I posted an open-ended call for entries and received so many wonderful responses from acquaintances and friends. After much consideration, I narrowed down seven of my favorites to illustrate in pop-up form, and finally—after much labor of love—the book is complete!

Here’s a little sneak peak at a few of the pages:

I’m offering the book for sale as part of a limited edition art zine. Also, as a long-overdue thanks to everyone who contributed, I’m sending a copy to each person who submitted an address with their response. If you’d like to get your hot little hands on a copy, you can pick one up here.

Also, the original book, filled with my hand-painted, cut and pasted illustrations, is going on tour with the Sketchbook Project beginning in March. It’s a touring “library” of sketchbooks organized by theme. Mine will be catalogued along with other books on the subject, “Figuring You Out,” and you’ll be able to check it out with your library card to flip through.

The Meaning of Life

Jordan — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:05:38 +0000

I illustrated the cover for the December 22 issue of the local alternative weekly paper. The cover story is an annual tradition called “The Meaning of Life,” which is a compilation of thoughts and quotes on the subject from local personalities from all walks of life.

I was inspired by images of mosaics and quilts, thinking about people cut many different cloths all coming together to contribute to the article and celebrate the season. In that spirit, I decided to cut and paste a paper quilt, made from all sorts of different scraps and elements.

About four weeks ago, I took a job at YES! Weekly, where I work as creative assistant helping the design team get the paper to press every Tuesday. I’m really enjoying the gig so far, as it’s part time and flexible, opening up much more time for me to devote to my art and illustration. In the past month, it’s already allowed me time for several exciting projects, and I’m thrilled to see my work and art career picking up speed. Plus, it’s an added bonus to get to work on the occasional cover illustration.

I also got a pretty nice shout out for my recent illustration competition win for the 2011 US Figure Skating Championships poster:

You can read all of the articles here.

Big Winnings

Jordan — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 03:27:04 +0000

I’m incredibly honored and thrilled to share some big news: I’ve been announced the winner of Green Hill Center’s 2011 US Figure Skating Championships Poster Competition. That means my illustration has been selected to appear on the official poster for the national championships, held in my city next month.

Green Hill Center held a statewide call for original artwork to represent the championships. Three judges—Adam Cave, Michael Lowder and Edie Carpenter—chose my piece from among twenty-one semi-finalists.

“Skating Lady,” pictured above, is a mixed-media composition crafted with elements of paint, ink and collage on paper. It is accented with touches of gold and silver leaf on the figure skater’s medal and skate. I hoped to capture both the graceful glitz-and-glamour of the sport as well as the feeling of victory.

I’ve gotten lots of fabulous local press, including a front-page newspaper article, and a spot on the evening news. Read the article in the News & Record by zooming in to the photo below.

I can’t wait to see the finished poster (in the hands of Green Hill’s talented designer, Mario Gallucci), which will be distributed during the championships.

I’m also super excited about my prize winnings, which total a whopping $3,000! Hooray!

Big Things in December

Jordan — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:52:05 +0000

There’s a lot scribbled on my calendar this month (as is usual for most people, I suppose, during the busy holiday season). I’ve been hard at work on plenty of projects, kicking off the season with a cover illustration for the N.E.E.T. fifth anniversary book.

In keeping with the theme of “five” and celebrating the fifth anniversary of N.E.E.T. Magazine, the book is offered with a choice of five covers. My illustration is among incredibly talented company, including work by some of my own personally most-admired illustrators.

From left to right: Gemma Correll / Kris Atomic / Anke Weckmann / Peggy Wolf / Jordan Grace Owens

Learn more and buy your own copy here.

The original N.E.E.T. illustration, along with a collection of other paintings, illustrations, and cut-outs, is hanging for the month of December at Tate Street Coffehouse in Greensboro, North Carolina. If you’re in the area, stop in for a visit and indulge yourself in caffeine and cut-out painting fixes.

Finally, you may have missed me last weekend at the First Friday Indie Market and the Big Crafty, but you can still buy your illustrated goodness gifts in time for the holidays. Small items showing at Swift Wade Gallery in Winston-Salem this month, and free gift tags with every online order from the shop!

I’m trying to figure you out

Jordan — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:19:10 +0000

I’m working on a special, limited edition illustrated zine and I want your input. The theme of the book is “figuring you out” and will explore the inner workings of people (maybe like you!). If you’d like to help, please send a sentence or two that tells a secret, shares some insight, or explains what makes you tick.

It can be silly or serious, short or long, and know that anything illustrated in the zine will remain anonymous. Please do include your name and mailing address, however, to receive a special thank you gift from me. I’d love to have your participation and help in shaping my project. Submit a sentence about you to jordan [!at] jordangrace.com with the subject line “figuring you out.”

You’re the Only Ten I See

Jordan — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:45:13 +0000

I’m back in North Carolina having very much enjoyed my short stay in Tennessee. The two days at Chatty Crafty went absolutely beautifully. Saturday was a little chilly (that’s an understatement), but on Sunday we were lucky to have comfy weather and lots and lots of sunshine. What’s more, I’ve never met nicer show organizers than the folks in Chattanooga. I racked up free truffles, hot chocolate, breakfast, burritos, and beer, which more than made up for the cold on Saturday.

I was most excited about all the awesome vendors I met. Here are some goods (below) from some of my favorites (click to find out who’s who).

Thanks to everyone who stopped by in Chattanooga. I’m looking forward to another Chatty Crafty and Tennessee visit next year!

If you missed Chatty Crafty, don’t miss these:
• First Friday Indie Market, December 3, Greensboro, NC
• The Big Crafty, December 5, Asheville, NC
• Under $100 artwork for sale at Swift Wade Gallery, the month of December, Winston-Salem, NC
• Art Show at Tate Street Coffee, the month of December, Greensboro, NC