Urbania: Flora y Fauna art show!

I am more than excited for this....

ARTSCOPE write up and cover!

Urbania: Flora Y Fauna - featuring Jyll Ethier-Mullen, Corey Grayhorse and Anna Kocon
Ami Bennitt



West Side Art Gallery

745 Westminster Street

Providence, Rhode Island


February 12 through March 12

Jyll Ethier-Mullen has evolved. Not only has her visual work expanded and changed over the years, she has also grown into being a curator and a self-marketer. Her newest work, part of a three-artist exhibition called “Urbania: Flora y Fauna,” is at the West Side Arts Gallery, which she runs with her husband, Travis, in Providence’s Federal Hill neighborhood from February 12 through March 12.

“It’s a very casual art space,” she said. “We aren’t trying to make another cool, hip, high-end gallery; we’re just giving artists an opportunity to show. Most artists we show haven’t shown at a gallery ever before.”

“Urbania” is the brainchild of Anna Jane Kocon, whose paper sculptures join Corey Grayhorse’s photography and Ethier-Mullen’s paintings. Brought together through subjects based in nature, bright and intense colors and constant art making, these three Providence-based artists expect to turn West Side, Ethier-Mullen said, into “a fantastical world where exotic plants and animals dwell, and viewers are compelled to engage in the colors and textures.”

For “Urbania,” Ethier-Mullen is trying to push herself out of her comfort zone. Fun animal paintings like “Elk” show five happy birds perched within the crevices of antlers. “I Remember Winter Mornings” touts a rounded owl seemingly thinking about how quiet and peaceful winter mornings can be. The deer in “Seeking A Loving Doe” appears feminine, with pretty long eyelashes, as if posing for a deer “singles” advert. The colors, although deep, like evergreen and grey, seem warm and lively even in an autumn/winter context. And “Quail,” with its teal, bold breast, is regal and ready. Although seen in the wild, these creatures seem friendly, as if they might talk.

“My work is very natural for this show; my backgrounds mix floral type and plant-like imagery, and many of my characters are based on animals,” Ethier-Mullen said. Her body of work is presented in a variety of sizes, some up to four feet. Primarily a mix of illustration and painting, it incorporates acrylics, press types and spray paint on wood. “It’s very fun and expressive for me,” she said. “I’m constantly experimenting with textures.”

Recently, her work has incorporated text. “I’m trying to make a point to the viewer. Most of the words come from Scripture or songs I’m currently listening to,” she said. Pieces like “Chaos” feature herds of faceless deer, seemingly running from a horse. The colors bright, and also dark, make up what could be a tryptic in one piece. “Turn your Head,” however, is wispy, including beautiful text, and is perhaps the partner piece to “Joy Run,” both which show a single deer, but the backgrounds, text and other elements make them completely different.

Read the entire article in our magazine pages...

little ditty more

Here's a few more pics of Beautiful Arizona, these pics were taken at Buffalo Bills in Cave Creek. Its a cute little inspired cowboy town.

Jan is here already?

New Years DEC 31 2009-2010


January- Newport


February Roger Williams Park


March, Dunkers finally got fixed


April- West Side Arts event with my mentor since i was 8, Don Primiano


MAY -My new Bestie Carrie, helping me work on a new show at WSA


June- Providence Art Festival, rocked so hard!


July- my 31st Bday with my Sister Elyse


August- Family at Carousel park in Riverside


September- Cali with our best Friends


October- Apple picking


November -Thanksgiving

December- NYC with my love

January 2011 in AZ

Every January is suppose to be a new beginning. this last year has seriously been a roller coaster ride with major highs and major lows. My art has exploded this past yr with commissions, shows and crafty festivals. I plan to bump it up, so hopefully this yr should even be better! So I wanted to take a few photos from this past year and reflect. HAppy New Year!

az scenic side