Local artist Jenna Alexander is unveiling her latest art series, “Stripes and Buns,” at an opening on Thursday, Dec. 6 at Gray 1908, a historic house located at 73 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine that is home to Jenna Alexander Studio and Juniper Market.
“It started when I asked women in the community to come to my studio in their favorite striped shirt and bun on top of their head,” Alexander explained. “I love when people can connect over something as simple as a fashion trend or hairstyle and, clearly, others agreed. It took only 45 minutes to fill every time slot, and I photographed over 200 women and girls.”
Inspired by a quote that hung in her childhood bathroom (“Here's to good women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them”) and the current social climate, Alexander set out to capture strong females of the First Coast. Out of the more than 200 photographs, Alexander chose 30 to transform into oil paintings. She’s also created a coffee table book for the series.
“When each woman or girl came to my studio, I had them write in their own words the answer to the question: What do you think it means to be a good woman?” Alexander said. “I took the paintings, photography, handwritten words and gouache illustrations and put together a book that I hope will instill strength in future generations of strong women.”
First edition, hardcover and signed copies of “Stripes and Buns: A Tribute To Good Women” are available ($65) now for pre-order as well as for sale at the opening of Alexander’s “Stripes and Buns” series on Dec. 6.
A St. Augustine based painter, photographer and illustrator, Alexander describes her work as “simple, candid, airy and beautiful.” Alexander’s previously released art series include “Salt Run,” “Salt Run Silver,” “Naptime Botanicals” and the “Even Me Project.”
