By Angela Romeo
Artists are influenced by their location. Lighting, weather, natural landscape, man-made landscape all factor into one’s work. For Jeff Coleson the sunshine of the desert was a break after so many years in Seattle.
“Seattle is many things including rainy and cold. Palm Springs, even in the summer, is refreshing. I am feeling at home,” noted the resident artist. “I think I have met more artists in months I have lived here than I did in 40 years in Seattle.”
“I grew up in South Bend Indiana. By the second grade I had discovered that drawing monsters and hot rods was fun! I knew that art would be my life and it continues to be my passion.
Jeff works with a variety of materials including metal, glass, plastic and paint. His primary material is wood. “Wood is a great versatile material. It is adaptable even for the desert environment. The dry air is well suited for it. Like anything else, proper maintenance is the key to longevity. With care, my work will last for generations.”
“My work is functional but with a twist of whimsy. Tattoo Box is a good example of function and art together. The piece serves as a storage box but with the fake fur lining and the winged heart handles, a row of skulls and hand drawn vintage tattoo flash, it becomes a conversation piece.”
“I am also inspired by the midcentury-modern lifestyle of the 1950’s and 60’s. Googie architectural signage was very popular. I have taken that inspiration and created work that captures the feel and, I hope, the essence of Googie style.” Googie captured that futurist architecture that was being fed by the post war fascination with the California car culture, the nascent space age, and the very real atomic age. The exaggerated style was a fixture of every diner, pool hall, coffee shop and bowling alley.
“In 1972, myself and two other artists opened a custom retail leather shop, The Leather Banana. Like all things, it came to end. I moved to Seattle in 1976 where I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator until relocating to Palm Springs.”
“With the experience and training I have, I am able to create the work I want to create. I prefer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces which offer positive outlook and bring joy. My work has a sense of fantasy but the most important thing is that it makes people smile.”
“I have recently teamed up with Tule Peak Timber to create custom live edge slab furniture in the many wood varieties that exit here in Southern California. From coffee table to massive conference tables, doors and bars, people can expect to see a range of furniture. Beginning November 1st, examples of wood and finished pieces will be on display at my studio. Please stop by. My studio is located at 691 Industrial Place in Palm Springs.”
For more information visit www.jeffcoleson.com
