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Artist’s Love of Animals Comes to Life at Art Show
BY Meg Beattie Patrick September 15, 2010 11:42am COMMENTS (0)
If you were lucky enough to attend Jessica Kale’s first art gallery opening last Friday evening at Erin Anthony’s Artistic Endeavors Art Studio & Gallery in Little Falls, you’re probably still marveling at the expertise of Kale’s intricate artwork. Perhaps you even purchased a print or an original. Perhaps you’re already a collector.
Kale’s etchings and watercolors speak to animal lovers of all types because her work primarily focuses on animals.
“I find the creative use of animal subjects gives the subject of my artwork an essence of spiritual power,” states Kale in an Artist Statement distributed at the opening.
Using a technique known as scratchboard, Kale meticulously creates warm renderings of animals ranging from cats and dogs to wolves and birds. Some of Kale’s art is done with watercolor paint.
The daughter of a well known etcher in the art world, Linda Kale, Jessica was born weighing a mere one-and-a-half pounds. Tragically, her mother died during childbirth.
Jessica is proud to carry her mother’s talent gene for art saying, “When I’m painting and etching, I feel a connection to my mother.”
Diagnosed at three months with pulmonary hypertension, the artist underwent two double-lung transplants in early adulthood at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. Today, she volunteers her time with NJ Sharing. The artist holds an associate’s degree in fine arts and is currently studying for her bachelor’s degree in illustration.
The collection of 26 pieces was exhibited at Artistic Endeavors and works not sold are still available on her website. Her work may also be commissioned through her small business venture.
Kale lives with her dog, Ellie, and two cats, Jasper and Evey. Her proud father, Marty Kale, said that seeing his daughter create art and smiling is one of the most important gifts in his life.

An Introduction

My name is Erin and I am the Owner/Instructor of Artistic Endeavors. I attended Montclair State University and graduated in only 2.5 years with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a Concentration in Painting as well as a minor in Business. Three months after i graduated, at age 20, I opened Artistic Endeavors, also refered to as AE. Artistic Endeavors is a private art studio and gallery that provides both private and group lessons to people of all ages and abilities in painting, drawing, cartooning and more. We also carry retail art supplies and encourage local artists to show their artwork in the our gallery!



A year and a half later, AE is continuing to grow quickly! Since the gallery opened in March of 2009, my students have thus far produced about 80 works of amazing artwork! You can find pictures of their artwork on http://www.artisticendeavors1.com/, which also has a link to our facebook page, as well as on http://www.artsonia.com/.



The most recent event held at the gallery was the gallery opening of Jessica Kale, which was held on September 10th. Jessica had about 26 piece of artwork in the gallery, the majority of which were pet portraits done in pastels or scratchboard. The turn out for the event was great and everyone had a great time! The show will be up until September 24th.