Jesse Reno

Jesse Reno lives and works in his home studio in Portland, Oregon.

PINOCIO'S TEMPLE: For classes, studio visits, and appointments, please email jesse@jessereno.com or call 503-235-8549

ARTIST STATEMENT

click here to watch my speech at the 2016 NAEA Convention in Chicago discussing my work.

Jesse Reno lives and works in a converted church in Portland, Oregon where he usually has a dozen paintings in progress at any one time. He creates his work on canvas and wooden panels, using acrylic paints, oil pastels, colored pencils, and screen printing.

His work is best described as -

Contemporary Primitive - of the present, searching for understanding through introspection. A basic wisdom of things based on connection to one's ideas, ideals and dreams rather than institutional or technological knowledge based on intricacies.

Abstract Narrative - a visual narrative derived from the interpretation of creations made up of intuitive actions manifesting as abstract shapes, forms and emotions. A process without preconceived plans - just a thought and feeling following one after the other to become an idea. Changing directions as forms emerge to find an idea free from judgement, something true in and of itself. From this a world of personal myth, iconography, symbols, and beings are created. Observing these creations as they emerge as well as noting their transitions and final meaning, one learns to understand what has been stated. Through this understanding, we see the synchronicity of moments and coincidence in life. A visual narrative where environment, being, and understanding all come from the interpretation of this visual diary. A story of potential, growth, and self destiny.

Jesse Reno at his home studio.

in the artists own words -

i am a self taught mixed media painter. i've been supporting myself from my art for the last 20 years. in that time i've created over 4000 paintings. my prices have risen 1000%. i have sold almost 90% of everything i have created. i have been the sole manager of my career with no business background. i have shown in over 100 galleries. i have taught my techniques and ideas about painting extensively in the us, canada, australia, and mexico. i do not do commercial work. i only take on work where i am free to create as i wish and be myself. i have never pre planned or conceptualized a painting in my entire career. i could tell you alot of stories..

for me painting is - finding treasure - what it is - what it means - if you know what you are looking for you will find it - burying something in the ground and digging it up doesn't make it treasure - the best treasure is unknown - it is a lesson - this gold is like the sun - not a coin for sale - this is a story you truly don't know - you write from feeling rather than knowing - you understand it like joy and despair - the chaos of volcanoes, the collapse of an avalanche, the weight of an anchor. the idea of buoyancy over balance. some locks do not open with keys. this is a world where candy canes grow at the tops of mountains. freedom comes from choosing, and all things are connected jesse reno

as a teacher of art -

to create expressed and meaningful work it is important for us to engage our emotions in an unrestrained way an undefined way. this allows the work to posses emotion in a way that is open to people. to effect the viewer in undefined ways that are personally moving. allowing them to engage and be affected in there own terms.

when we view art it is a feeling that moves us.. to reduce art to a formula or equation would be to reduce our understanding. we are not math we are not logic this is what makes us human this is what makes us animal.. instinct gut feelings emotions. logic is for figuring out things that are sequential and repeatable.. emotions are individual or based on time circumstance and personal connection. these are things that can not be logistified so we should not use logic to engage emotions. this is corrupt and will not bring us truth or being. its is understanding our emotions for what they are that makes us whole and creates balance not an equation.

learning to move with mistakes rather than seeking to make the perfect move, this is what teaches us fluidity or boyancy.. this moves us away from equations that convince us of righteousness. this righteousness blinds us to our choices, it leaves us feeling low when we have not chosen as perfectly as we thought.. so in contrast by choosing to try things knowing we will later fix them leaves us to move from a position of thinking searching and overcomming learning each time from our mistakes, learning the value of our mistakes.

Past Statements & Ideas

shamanic depressive
magic is anxious - waiting isnt easy - the time between visions is slow - what will happen next - what will you tell me - dancing in the fire - there is a man inside the wood - smake ring - candy cane - whale bones - a horese with a hammer - a volcanoe inside - canoes - eyes like mirrors - geometry is not sacred - write a new spell - wish... this is never never land - you will know who you are when you are free - then you must choose - you are here now... this is hard to remember...

this is why we continue to chase - search for new vision - there is no glory in stopping - one wish greater then the last - hunt - this is the reward - ask gods not men - even kings can not grant the wishes of gods - you were born of stars wolves and fawns - lions eyes - the future is alive...

burn in the end - disolve the spells with ash - no king will take the mans work - the soil will be remembered by those who fed it

Press

Willamette Week best Visual Artist of 2018

Jesse Reno was voted Best Visual Artist 2018 by the readers of the Willamette Week newspaper.

Past Press

Full Bleed, Vol. 2 - 2018 - San Diego
Artension Magazine - 2014 - France
YRB Magazine - 2012 - New York
DPI Magazine June - 2009 - Taiwan

More Past Press...

Video Demos and Interviews

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024

Brassworks Gallery - "automatic wonder" - Portland, OR

2023

Brassworks Gallery - "pay attention to your shadow" - Portland, OR

2022

Lynn Hanson Gallery - "secret magic" - Seattle, WA
Communion - "golden like the sun" - Portland, OR
Gallery Giuseppe - "truth myth extinction" - Eldorado, CO

2021

RiverSea Gallery - "Necessary Pictures" - Astoria ,OR

2020

Lynn Hanson Gallery - "Invisible Throne" - Seattle, WA

2019

Mills Station Arts & Culture Center - "Ascension" - Rancho Cordova, CA
Communion - "Winter Collection" - Portland, OR

2018

True Measure Gallery - "Disassembled Rainbows" - Portland, OR
Communion - "Broken Shapes" - Portland, OR

2017

Communion - "The Tops of Mountains" - Portland, OR
True Measure Gallery - "Heroes and Icons" - Portland, OR
Portland'5 - "Just Beyond The Mountain" - Portland, OR
Jupiter Gallery - Portland, OR
Portland5 center for the arts - Portland, OR

2016

Clymb - "The Land of Giants" - Portland, OR
Coos Art Museum - Coos Bay, OR
The Last Bookstore - Los Angeles, CA

2015

Parlor Gallery - Asbury Park, NJ
Rotofugi - Chicago, IL

2014

In3Arts Gallery - Metz, France

2013

Galleria Dante - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
RiverSea Gallery - Astoria, OR

2012

Rotofugi Gallery, Chicago, IL "Wolves Tails Crossed Arrows and Canoes"
Contemporary Fine Arts Gallery, La Jolla, CA

2011

Rougette Gallery - Rockland, Maine
In3Arts Gallery - Metz, France
Galeria Dante - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2010

Galeria Dante- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2009

Ayden Gallery - "When Free Will Becomes Destiny" - Vancouver, B.C.

2007

BLK/MRKT Gallery, Culver City, CA

ART FAIRS

2024

Seattle ART FAIR - Lynn Hanson Gallery - Seattle, WA

2023

Seattle ART FAIR - Lynn Hanson Gallery - Seattle, WA
LA ART FAIR - Gallery Giuseppe - Berkley, CA

2022

Seattle Art Fair - Lynn Hanson Gallery - Seattle, WA

2021

Art in the Pearl - True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR

SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024

Mattatuck Museum - outsiders perspective exhibition - Waterbury, Conneticutt
Portland Art Museum - Rental Sales Gallery - Spring Members show - Portland, OR
2023
- Museum of Museums - inside outside - Seattle, WA
- Portland Art Museum - Rental Sales Gallery - Spring Members show - Portland, OR
- Curb Gallery - "the sun doesnt shine on your tv" - jesse reno and melissa monroe Portland, OR

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS

2023

Directors Park Paint off – painting demo and Q and A – Portland, OR

2021

ArtConnectED – virtual presentation painting demo and Q and A – Chicago, IL

Deerfield High school – virtual master class and Q and A – Deerfield, IL

IHSAE - "Featured Presenter" - Chicago, IL

2019

Portland Open Studios – showed over 400 works and gave demonstrations – Portland, OR

2018

Portland Open Studios – 2 weekends of showing work and technique demos – Portland, OR
Live paint - Neuehouse - Hollywood, CA

2016

Portland Open Studios – lectures and demonstration of techniques – Portland, OR
NEAE - Keynote Speaker - Chicago, IL

2015

Portland Open Studios – lectures and demonstration of techniques – Portland, OR
Lecture on murals – for PNCA students – True Measure Gallery – Portland OR
expression and creativity lecture - Idyllwild Arts – Idyllwild, CA

2014

Portland Open Studios – lectures and demonstration of techniques – Portland, OR

2013

Live Paint - Collage Art Store - Portland, OR
Live Paint - North Coast Seed - Portland, OR
Live Paint - The Hollow Gallery - Portland, OR

2012

Key note speaker - "The Purpose Of Art" - Artfest - Port Townsend, WA

2011

My work was presented by Marianne Coble & Young At Art to students of Pacific School - Manhattan Beach, CA

2010

Portland open studios - demo and open discussion - Portland, OR
Portland Fashion Week - artist installation - Portland, OR
Live paint demo - Hawthorne street fair - Portland, OR
Live paint demo - Grand Bezu Art Bazar - Bezu, France

2007

Mural Fest, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, "Connection through Creating"

2006

Portland Community College, Portland, OR, "Becoming A Self-Supporting Artist"

PAINTING WORKSHOPS

2023

5 day studio workshop - my personal studio - Portland, OR
3 day studio workshop - my personal studio - Portland, OR
3 day workshop "freedom to create"- ART and Soul - Portland, OR
1 day workshop - Art and Soul "Primitave Print Making" - Portland, OR
4 day workshop - Sedona Arts Center - Sedona, Arizona
5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2022

3 day mixed media painting workshop - ArtWorks - Edmonds, WA
1 day workshop - Experimental Printing - Art & Soul Retreat - Portland, OR
3 day workshop - Freedom to create - Art & Soul Retreat - Portland, OR

3 day workshop "freedom to create"- ART and Soul - Portland, OR

1 day workshop - Art and Soul "Primitave Print Making" - Portland, OR

4 day workshop - Sedona Arts Center - Sedona, Arizona

5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2021

5 day studio workshop - Pinocchio's Temple - Portland, OR
3 day mixed media painting workshop - ArtWorks - Edmonds, WA
1 day workshop - Experimental Printing - Art & Soul Retreat - Portland, OR
3 day workshop - Freedom to create - Art & Soul Retreat - Portland, OR

2019

1 day free workshop - The MACC - Rancho Cordova, CA
4 day workshop - Sedona Arts Center Sedona, AZ
3 day workshop - Freedom to create - Art and Soul - Portland, OR
1 day workshop - Abstract Landscapes - Art and Soul - Portland, OR

2018

3 day workshop – Donna Downey Studios – Lincolnton, NC
5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico – Puerta Vallarta, Mexico
5 day workshop – Idyllwild Arts – Idyllwild, CA
5 day open level workshop - True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop - True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop - True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
3 day and 1 day workshops - Art and Soul - Portland, OR

2017

5 day open level workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico – Puerta Vallarta, Mexico
3 day and 1 day workshops - Art and Soul - Portland, OR

2016

5 day workshop – Idyllwild Arts – Idyllwild, CA
5 day open level workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
Workshop at Coos Art Museum - Coos Bay, OR
2 day and 1 day workshops - Art and soul - Portland, OR
6 half-day workshops over 3 days - Artfest rising - Port Townsend, WA
5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico – Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

2015

5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico – Puerta Vallarta, Mexico
3 day workshop – the Space – Austin, TX
5 day open level workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
1 day workshop – P:ear Gallery – Portland, OR
2 day workshop – Art and soul retreat – Portland, OR
3 day workshop – Art Unraveled – Phoenix, AZ
5 day advanced workshop – True Measure Gallery – Portland. OR
3 day workshop – Into the Heart – Vancouver, BC Canada
5 day workshop – Idyllwild Arts – Idyllwild, CA

2014

4 week workshop tour – Melbourne, Sydney, Huskisson, Brisbane, Australia
5 day workshop – Pacific Northwest Art School – Widbey, WA
2 day workshop – Collage Art Store – Portland, OR
5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
5 day open level workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR

2013

2 day and 1 day workshop - Art & Soul - Virginia Beach, VA
5 day workshop at home studio - Portland, OR
5 day open level workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop True Measure Gallery - Portland, OR

2012

3 day workshop - Zinnias - Pasadena, CA
2 day and 1 day workshop - Art&Soul - Virginia Beach, VA
2 day and 1 day workshop - Artfest - Port Townsend, WA
5 day open level workshop – In Studio - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop – In Studio - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop – In Studio - Portland, OR
2 five day workshops - In Studio - Portland, OR
3 day workshop - Teahouse Studio - Berkeley, CA
2 day and 1 day workshop - Art&Soul - Portland, OR
5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2011

3 one day workshops - Artfest - Port Townsend, WA
5 day open level workshop – In Studio - Portland, OR
5 day level II workshop – In Studio - Portland, OR
5 day advanced workshop – In Studio - Portland, OR
3 one day workshops - Art&Soul - Hampton, VA
5 day in studio workshop - Portland , OR
2 one workshops - Art&Soul - Portland, OR
5 day workshop - Hacienda Mosaico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2010

Workshop series at Art and Soul - Portland, OR
2 day workshop/lecture at Freedom to Create - Vancouver, BC, Canada
Workshop series at Artfest - Port Townsend, WA

2009

3 day workshop at Carol Parks Studio in Burbank, CA
3 day workshop at Off Center Arts in Albuquerque, NM

2008

1 day workshop in Reno, NV
3 day workshop at Carol Parks Studio in Burbank, CA

COMMISSIONS

2018

Mural (8x12 ft, Public Mural) - Burnside Skate Park -- Portland, OR
T-shirt design - Adventureland Ballroom -- Portland, OR

2017

Mural (12x8 ft, Permanent Installation) - Collage Art Store -- Portland, OR
Album Artwork - Being Empty and Being Full - album cover
Album Artwork - Listener - 7" records (set of 4 covers)
Album Artwork - Small Leaks Sink Ships - 7" record cover
19x24" Concert Poster - Adventureland Ballroom -- Portland, OR

2016

Skateboard and T-shirt design, Calskate 40th anniversary -- Portland, OR

2011

Paramount Theatre - Permanent installation - Huntington, NY
Arbor Skateboards - Skateboard Design- Venice, CA
Armada Skis -Ski design - Costa Mesa, CA

2010

Cal Sk8 - skateboard design - Portland, OR
Armanda Skis - ski design - Costa Mesa, CA
Sitka Surfboards - T-shirt design - Victoria, BC, Canada
Arbor Skateboards - T-shirt & skateboard design - Venice, CA

2008

Grenade Gloves - Mamoth Lakes, CA, G.A.S. Coat & Glove Design
Merde Skateboards - Portlnd, OR, 2 skateboard designs.
Nike - Mexico City, Mexico - Exterior Mural
Upper Playground - San Francisco, CA, T-shirt Design

2007

Mural Fest, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, 1000 sq. ft. mural

2006

Local 35, Portland, OR, Dressing room installation and exterior mural

2005

Laughing Horse Political Bookstore, Portland, OR, exterior mural
Pigwood Skateboards, Los Angeles, CA, Ragdoll deck art

2004

NAC, Portland, OR, exterior mural

PUBLICATIONS

2018

"Full Bleed - The Comics and Culture Quarterly" - Volume 2 - Artist Feature - IDW
OPB - "Intuitive Voices" (15 minute TV segment) - Oregon Public Broadcasting

2017

Gram Mag feature
"Two American Artists..." - Gold Coast Magazine feature - Australia
You Will Know When You Are Free - Art Book - Self Published
Collecting Stars And Wands - Art Book - Self Published
Fracture - Art Book - Self Published

2016

You Will Know When You Are Free - Art Book - Self Published
Collecting Stars And Wands - Art Book - Self Published
Fracture - Art Book - Self Published

2015

Art and Makers - Summer 2015 - artist profile - England

2014

Artension Magazine May-June 2014 - Artist Feature - France
Coast Magazine - Autumn 2014 - Artist Feature - Australia

2013

"14 Artist Journals" book - Feature Artist
Gather Clouds Magazine Issue #3 - Feature Artist

2012

YRB Magazine - Artist Profile - New York, NY

2011

Destination Creativity, The Life Altering Journey Of The Art Retreat - Artist Spotlight
Contemporary Primitive Abstract Narrative- Self Published Catalog

2010

Vallarta Tribune December Issue - show spotlight - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Somerset Studio Nov/Dec 2010 edition - artist portfolio - Laguna Hills, CA
Truth Myth Extinction - artist catalog

2009

DPI Magazine - Taiwan - Featured artist.

2008

Front for You vol. #9 - Belgium - Featured Artist

2007

Jesse Reno at BLK/MRKT Gallery, Palo Alto, CA, Artweek, July/August Vol 38, Issue 6
DPI Magazine vol. # 99 - Taiwan - Featured Artist page 78.
BLK/MRKT Two, Los Angeles, CA, Published by BMG and Die Gestalten Verlag

2006

Juxtapoz, San Francisco, CA, April, Issue 63
BLK/MRKT One, Los Angeles, CA, published by BMG and Die Gestalten Verlag
Beasts, Seattle, WA, Fantagraphics Publishing
Artension, Paris, France, September - October issue n?31

2004

RAWVISION, Radlet, Herts, UK, Issue 51

AWARDS

2018

"Best Visual Artist" - Willamette Weekly Best of Portland Reader's Poll - Portland, OR

2011

"Jury Award" - Portland Open Studios - Portland, OR

2010

Nomination for Pacific Northwest Artist of the Year

2009

"Most Expressive Artist In Show" - Outsider Art Festival - St. Eloi, France

2007

"Winning Muralist Representing USA" - International Mural Festival - Winnipeg, Canada

3 day mixed media painting workshop - ArtWorks - Edmonds, WA

1 day workshop - Experimental Printing - Art & Soul Retreat - Portland, OR

3 day workshop - Freedom to create - Art & Soul Retreat - Portland, OR

GALLERY GIUSEPPE - Eldorado Springs, CO

Lynn Hanson Gallery - Seattle, WA

Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery - Portland, OR

Galeria Exodo - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Artisti Gallerie -Rueil-Malmaison, France

Riversea Gallery - Astoria, OR

COLLECTIONS

Jordan Schnitzer collection - Portland OR
Fredrick Lux - Thionville, France
Kerry and ayisha King - NY, NY

EDUCATION

Self taught - mixed media painter - no formal education
Drawing since age 5, exhibiting since 2001
over 4000 paintings created to date

Jesse Reno

ARTIST STATEMENT

Past Statements & Ideas

Press

Past Press

Full Bleed, Vol. 2 - 2018 - San Diego

Artension Magazine - 2014 - France

YRB Magazine - 2012 - New York

DPI Magazine June - 2009 - Taiwan

More Past Press...

Video Demos and Interviews

RESUME

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2007

ART FAIRS

2024

2023

2022

2021

SELECT GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024

2023

2022

2021

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS

2023

2021

2019

2018

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2007

2006

PAINTING WORKSHOPS

2023

2022

2021

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012