By Gwen Keane

It is hard to describe an artist who uses a wide variety of techniques to create art work. Jacquie Colligan, however, is a multi-faceted artist, who enjoys the freedom and challenges found in using various mediums to create her paintings and jewelry.

Jacquie, her husband Tom, and their Golden Retriever, Hunter, live on a beautifully designed landscape overlooking Carter’s Creek in Irvington, Virginia.

Jacquie Colligan at home

The Colligans moved here from Northern Virginia in 1994. Although Jacquie is not a landscape design artist, she knew exactly what she wanted in her gardens when she began working with a landscape designer. Using stone, wood, decorative and ornamental plants and shrubby, as well as having a water garden, the landscaped view overlooking Carter’s Creek is what this artist sees from her studio. I was curious about Jacquie’s “inspiration” and how she acquired the desire to not only become an artist but to “grow artistically” since in addition to painting, she also designs and makes jewelry.

Jacquie said “when I was a young girl I visited Pakistan with my parents. My father, who was an architect, devoted a lot of time during that trip to teaching me. He became my inspiration.” When Jacque’s children were young however, she used her artistic talents only in support of school and home projects. Prior to her retirement and relocating to Irvington, Jacquie was the Vice President for Residential Marketing with the Charles E. Smith Corporation in Arlington, Virginia.

In addition to her father being her inspiration, Jacquie says, “Today Jane Stouffer, another local artist, remains my inspiration. I enjoy Jane’s teaching because she never tries to change my techniques or style. She only tries to help me improve.” Twice a month Jacquie paints with a group called “The Experimental Group” at the Rappahannock Art League Studio (RALS) on Main Street in Kilmarnock. Jacquie says “This group of twelve artists won’t work with any thing that offers a level of comfort. We only work with mediums that present us with challenges.”

I asked Jacquie, given her diversity as an artist, what is her favorite type of work. She replied “I enjoy doing abstracts more than anything but when I feel the need for artistic discipline I return to other types of painting, i.e. landscapes. “ This artist works each day. She says “I usually start my day by painting then when I’m waiting for the paint to dry I’ll move over to my work bench and create jewelry.” Jacquie works to music. This is something she learned from an instructor who would play different types of music, then stop the music and say “create a focal point.” Depending on what her subject matter is determines the type of music she plays. You might enter her studio and find Jacquie painting a landscape to music that was composed by Mozart or you may find her painting an abstract while listening to a good jazz tune.

When Jacquie began making jewelry her creations were “fun jewelry.” The idea for making jewelry was developed while staying with friends in Duck, N.C. They visited a shop and the comment was made “Jacquie, you could make that bracelet.” The response from the shopkeeper was “if you can I’ll buy twelve from you.” And so her artistic career of making jewelry was born. Today however, Jacquie makes “serious” jewelry using semi precious stones such as jade and amethyst. Some of her designs include using antique jade her husband bought in China. She creates necklaces that “make a statement” as well as other pieces of jewelry. In November some of her jewelry was entered in the Wearable Art Show sponsored by the Bay Center for the Arts in Mathews, Virginia. On December 8-10 Jacquie will be exhibiting her work at an Arts and Antique Show, open to the public, at the Tides Inn from 9a.m. to 8 p.m. She will also be conducting a demonstration on watercolors.

Recently Jacquie’s son, an actor, opened in a play in Studio City, California. Prior to joining him for the Opening Night she sent him a painting in honor of the upcoming production. The gallery in California that framed the painting was quite taken with Jacquie’s work. In March 2006 this gallery will host a show solely exhibiting Jacquie’ s paintings.

Here’s to you Jacquie Colligan, and your continued success. For an appointment to meet this artist and view her work, she can be contacted at 804-438-6012.

© Northern Neck Buyers Guide