Jane Gottlieb is an artist who has spent a lifetime expressing her deep love for art through the interplay of paint, shapes, and colors. Hailing from Los Angeles, she began her artistic journey as a painter, transitioned into photography, and eventually embarked on the path of hand-painting with vibrant colors. Over thirty years ago, she ventured into a unique realm of artistry, hand-painting individual Cibachrome prints.
Gottlieb’s creative evolution didn’t stop there. Today, she scans her one-of-a-kind hand-painted prints, enhancing them with the power of digital tools like Photoshop, and producing archival prints on a variety of surfaces, including aluminum, canvas, and paper. Her art is a vibrant celebration of color, and she views it as a luxurious means to fill her life with energy, emotion, and joy. For her, color isn’t just a visual element; it’s a profound source of inspiration and happiness that can lift one’s spirits and bring a smile to their face.
One of the remarkable achievements in Jane Gottlieb’s career is the extensive exhibition of her art at prominent institutions. She takes great pride in having installed over 100 large artworks on display in four buildings at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), along with 40 large pieces at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). These exhibitions are set to grace these institutions for a decade, offering the public an opportunity to experience and be inspired by her vivid and joyful creations.
“Joy Ride” is one of Jane Gottlieb’s distinctive works, encapsulating her connection to her native Los Angeles and the city’s enduring love affair with automobiles. Growing up in the Southland, she shared in the fascination with cars that pervaded the streets, and her camera became a tool for capturing her idyllic vision of a bygone Los Angeles. In her eyes, cars are more than just vehicles; they possess distinct personalities, resembling rolling sculptures, and they evoke romantic memories while symbolizing freedom.
In “Joy Ride,” Gottlieb paints her pictures with a unique palette of uplifting, emotional, and energetic colors, creating an ideal and idyllic world. Her artwork isn’t just a depiction of the physical world; it’s a manifestation of the joy and emotions that she experiences. This exhibition is the culmination of a lifetime of memorable joyrides, offering viewers a glimpse into her world and the sense of euphoria she finds in the art of capturing moments with her unique, vivid, and energetic style.
Gottlieb’s approach to her art is nothing short of distinctive. She doesn’t merely replicate reality but infuses it with her own personal touch, making it a reflection of her inner world and her boundless enthusiasm for life. Her use of color isn’t simply for aesthetics; it’s a medium for conveying emotion and energy. This ability to infuse her artwork with a profound sense of joy and optimism sets her apart as an artist who brings something truly special to the world of visual art.
What makes Jane Gottlieb’s work stand out is its timeless quality. While rooted in the culture and history of Los Angeles, her art transcends geographical and temporal boundaries. It resonates with anyone who appreciates the exuberance of color and the celebration of life itself. Her art is not confined by trends or passing fashions; it is a vibrant testament to the enduring power of artistic expression to connect with the human spirit.
In a world often dominated by the mundane and the routine, Jane Gottlieb’s art serves as a reminder of the beauty, joy, and energy that surrounds us. She beckons us to look at the world through her eyes, where every moment is an opportunity for an exhilarating joyride. Whether it’s the vibrant streets of Los Angeles or the everyday experiences of life, her art invites us to embrace the colors, shapes, and emotions that fill our existence and to share in the celebration of life’s boundless possibilities.
