Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Schaller.
Hi Jeff, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The County Studio Tour started as a single open studio in 2006 with one location and one artist, that was me. I had built my
studio in 2004, too appease curious neighbors and an ever-growing group of art patrons I opened my studio for two
days. Not only did the neighbors, friends, the curious and art collectors come but other artists came to see,
to admire and to purchase. The following year I asked another artist to join me, opening his studio for two days on
the same weekend. We each asked five artists to join us in exhibiting their art work in booths around our studio.
The birth of an event dedicated to one weekend in May was formed. The fourth year I invited eight more artists
with studios to join in along with them they asked artists, the county wide studio tour was underway. To maintain
quality artist and a professional studio tour artists were juried in by the fifth year. Through example and word-of-
mouth along with a successful marketing campaign consisting of social media and 9,000 printed catalogues the tour
continues to grow attracting more artists, neighbors, art collectors and the perspective curious. Last year we had 172 artists showing in 59 studios spread through out the county.
I wanted to provide artists an opportunity to showcase their creative work environment with the public through a
professional well publicized, anticipated event. So far it’s working and engaging everyone in the community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s always a challenge getting artists on board in a timely manner. Sometimes it’s like herding cats but every year we are ready for that one weekend in May.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Using lost and found images, words and language, my goals are to paint with confidence and whimsy. My
approach is with a vision towards expressionistic and contemporary. Instantaneously setting powerful brush
strokes that evoke an emotional connection of the viewer to the past and reflect on their sensibility in the
present as a result of their memory. I want people to bring their own thoughts and feelings into my artwork.
I paint using things that already exist, this is what feels true to me. I need to reflect on culture, past and
present, as an arbiter of interpretation. Others have created and have only touched on, merely scratched
the surface. I then explore the subtle nuances of language and life. I need to explore, as I begin to paint, I let
my mind wander into a free association. I define my oeuvre with compositions, which are provocative and
whimsical. It is my intent to propel the viewer into scenes of seemingly unrelated subjects, contained within
a captivating and complex sonatas. The simultaneous expressions are pop and edgy, esoteric and direct,
unrelated and curiously similar, creating a visual language of paradox and juxtaposition. I want to provoke
an emotional response from the viewer.
That is why I paint.
My work has been exhibited throughout the United States. I’m frequently published in
magazines and newspapers, chosen for juried art exhibitions and selected for special projects,
commissions and murals. I created a 30 feet mural for the Philadelphia Arts Commission
placed in their transportation centers. My work can also be seen on the set of “Friends” for the 2002
and 2003 season. I was the recipient of the prestigious Philadelphia Museum of Art Purchase
Award. I continues to support the arts by holding board positions on the Chester County
Art Association and Rittenhouse Square Park Fine Arts Show. I am a committed artist who lives in Pennsylvania with my wife.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I paint happiness. my moto is “You don’t need my problems on your walls, you have your own.” i paint every day things that make me and i hope others happy, from cocktails to summer vibes to nostalgic tv shows.
Pricing:
- Paintings range from $300 – $12,000
- Prints are $45 or $95
- Barware – $40.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jeffschaller.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_schaller
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffschallerart
