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08/27/2009 12:00 AMWhen Jan Testori-Markman was a student at Guilford High School (GHS, '83), she knew art was in her future. Now, the successful Manhattan artist brings her designs back to her alma mater, with an exhibit that should inspire today's students to see the possibilities of where their studies can take them. A gorgeous spread of Jan's two-dimensional art designs are currently on display in the GHS main lobby and will remain there through the month of September. The 70 pieces, done on paper and wood, would sell quickly to the many clients of Jan's New York studio, but are instead finding a month's respite in Guilford as a way of helping her native community, says Jan.
A gorgeous spread of Jan's two-dimensional art designs are currently on display in the GHS main lobby and will remain there through the month of September. The 70 pieces, done on paper and wood, would sell quickly to the many clients of Jan's New York studio, but are instead finding a month's respite in Guilford as a way of helping her native community, says Jan. "When I think about myself in high school in this community, I wasn't exposed to art that much. I hope these pieces will help students open up to new ideas and maybe inspire them to make up their own techniques," she says.
"When I think about myself in high school in this community, I wasn't exposed to art that much. I hope these pieces will help students open up to new ideas and maybe inspire them to make up their own techniques," she says.Jan's technique is certainly one of her own creation. A former apparel designer, the Massachusetts College of Art graduate also designed jewelry (sold in New York City through Henri Bendel and the former Galeries Lafayette) and stained glass before settling on her current style of painting, which reflects many of those mediums.
Jan's technique is certainly one of her own creation. A former apparel designer, the Massachusetts College of Art graduate also designed jewelry (sold in New York City through Henri Bendel and the former Galeries Lafayette) and stained glass before settling on her current style of painting, which reflects many of those mediums. "I started experimenting to see what would work," says Jan of her time-consuming paintings, which begin with a layer of simple latex paint, covered by polyurethane, then watercolors and gauche.
"I started experimenting to see what would work," says Jan of her time-consuming paintings, which begin with a layer of simple latex paint, covered by polyurethane, then watercolors and gauche. Then, explains Jan, "I cover the whole thing with a transfer of a drawing that I've done, then wash away the negative space."
Then, explains Jan, "I cover the whole thing with a transfer of a drawing that I've done, then wash away the negative space."The results are incredible designs, some geometric, others mimicking natural forms, and many recalling the beautiful fabric patterns of Jan's earlier clothing design work. Jan says she's often inspired by her surroundings, natural and otherwise, which is what led to her latest creative twist: using rust as a medium.
The results are incredible designs, some geometric, others mimicking natural forms, and many recalling the beautiful fabric patterns of Jan's earlier clothing design work. Jan says she's often inspired by her surroundings, natural and otherwise, which is what led to her latest creative twist: using rust as a medium."In the past couple of years, I've added rust. I use iron filings that are rusted and they stick to the surface. I started using rust because of my surroundings…I'd be walking down the street in the city and I'd see rusty things and think, 'That's beautiful.' I loved the color of the rust," she says.
"In the past couple of years, I've added rust. I use iron filings that are rusted and they stick to the surface. I started using rust because of my surroundings…I'd be walking down the street in the city and I'd see rusty things and think, 'That's beautiful.' I loved the color of the rust," she says.Several of her pieces on display at GHS include a rust layer, some of which have been deliberately set on the delicate designs to appear exactly as what they look look, such as drink rings.
Several of her pieces on display at GHS include a rust layer, some of which have been deliberately set on the delicate designs to appear exactly as what they look look, such as drink rings. "Some designers use things they see in nature. I'm using what I see, too…like wrought iron gates and drink rings," says Jan, who always signs her
"Some designers use things they see in nature. I'm using what I see, too…like wrought iron gates and drink rings," says Jan, who always signs her One piece of Jan's work that's been a permanent fixture at GHS is her contribution to the Class of 1983 Class Shield, now hanging in the school media center.
paintings on the back so as not to interrupt a design.
One piece of Jan's work that's been a permanent fixture at GHS is her contribution to the Class of 1983 Class Shield, now hanging in the school media center. "It was the first year they
"It was the first year they Another first for Jan as a GHS student involved her being selected as the school's inaugural recipient of the Charles Hubbard Art Award. The award has continued to be the top art honor a graduating GHS student can receive.
reintroduced the Class Shield," recalls Jan.
Another first for Jan as a GHS student involved her being selected as the school's inaugural recipient of the Charles Hubbard Art Award. The award has continued to be the top art honor a graduating GHS student can receive. While she no longer lives in Guilford, Jan's parents Chris and Ed Testori are still here; members of a long line of Testoris in town. Jan currently lives in Manhattan with her husband Glenn, son Clio (14), and daughter Edie (11). The family often visits Guilford and Jan was also here to exhibit in recent shows at Wink and with the Guilford Art League (juried).
While she no longer lives in Guilford, Jan's parents Chris and Ed Testori are still here; members of a long line of Testoris in town. Jan currently lives in Manhattan with her husband Glenn, son Clio (14), and daughter Edie (11). The family often visits Guilford and Jan was also here to exhibit in recent shows at Wink and with the Guilford Art League (juried).Students and the general public can visit with Jan and learn more about her work in mid-September, when she plans to be back at GHS as the honored guest during a lobby art reception being planned by GHS art teacher Cheryl Kling.
Students and the general public can visit with Jan and learn more about her work in mid-September, when she plans to be back at GHS as the honored guest during a lobby art reception being planned by GHS art teacher Cheryl Kling. Jan was Kling's student while at GHS and the two remain in touch, as do many of Kling's former students. Each fall for the past several years, Kling's arranged for alumni from the professional art world to show their work in the expansive glass cases in the school lobby.
Jan was Kling's student while at GHS and the two remain in touch, as do many of Kling's former students. Each fall for the past several years, Kling's arranged for alumni from the professional art world to show their work in the expansive glass cases in the school lobby."We like to highlight artists who are significant to the Guilford community and fortunately there are plenty of GHS alumni who are willing to share their art not only with students and teachers at their former high school, but also in a space that is open to the whole community," says Kling.
"We like to highlight artists who are significant to the Guilford community and fortunately there are plenty of GHS alumni who are willing to share their art not only with students and teachers at their former high school, but also in a space that is open to the whole community," says Kling.
For more information on artist Jan Testori-Markman, visit www.jantestorimarkman.com or email testorimarkman@aol.com