THE ARTIST’S EYE, a collaboration between Audra Kiewiet de Jonge and Irene Owens, in bespoke display cases created by PARVUM OPUS for Art/artefact.

I asked the London-based miniaturist Irene Owens to paint the eyes of women artists from history, marrying her incredible reimagined lover’s eye jewelry with an interactive conceptual artwork of contemporary relevance.

Irene is a supremely talented self-taught miniaturist, and it has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with her on bringing the Artist’s Eye to life. I am in awe of her talent and so proud to share what we created with the world and the conversation around art history and who is and isn’t included in the art historical canon.

I had the chance to interview her and learn more about the inspiration and skill behind her beautiful work, and am so pleased to share that conversation with you here.

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"Love and work"

AUDRA KIEWIET DE JONGE: When did you first know that you wanted to be an artist?

IRENE OWENS: I have loved drawing and painting since I can remember, however I didn’t even consider the idea of becoming a professional artist growing up, and painting was only a hobby until a few years ago.

AKJ: What is it about working in such a small scale that appeals to you so directly?

IO: I like painting miniatures because they have a certain intimacy about them, especially if they are portraits or meaningful symbols. When my paintings end up in lockets, brooches or rings that a person is going to wear and cherish, it feels rather special creating something like that.

The eyes of Frida Kahlo, painted by Irene Owens.

AKJ: Can you tell us a little about how you choose the subjects and also how you create your artworks?

IO: My work is quite varied and so is the process. I paint watercolour miniatures, I design and create bespoke jewellery boxes, I also paint on canvas and panel. Sometimes I’d have an idea and then would go on a hunt for a right locket/picture frame/box. Other times an object would dictate a subject for painting. I get inspired by so many things and have such a great choice of wonderful antique objects to work with, it’s never boring.

AKJ: Which ‘modern’ artists do you appreciate and why?

IO: Tove Jansson was an absolute legend, a genius. I love everything she has done - her ink drawings, her oil paintings and murals, her brilliant stories. Her motto “Love and Work” are very close to my heart, I really appreciate her wisdom, humour and humanity . Andrew Wyeth is another artist I hugely admire for similar reasons. Shaun Tan just blows my mind, he is so versatile and clever in what he does, his paintings, sculptures, drawings and stories are simply marvellous. I also adore Alena Nalivkina, I’m lucky enough to own a few of her drawings, they are so dreamy.

AKJ: Tell us a little about your formal training and background…

I: I don’t have any formal art training, I taught myself by copying my favourite artworks when I was younger, reading about various techniques, watching tutorials and painting for many hours everyday.

AKJ: In what period was your favorite art produced?

IO: I don’t have a favourite period, I am interested in almost everything, from ancient Assyrian reliefs to early Italian Renaissance, Flemish and Dutch Golden Ages, French Impressionism and Postimpressionism.
AKJ: Have you had your portrait painted or have you completed a self-portrait?

IO: My husband has drawn me a few times and I have also done a few self-portraits when I was younger.

I would ask Diego Velázquez:

“Please, can I

watch you paint?”

AKJ: When, where and with whom are you happiest?

IO: I’m happiest with my two favourite people – my husband and son, being out and about with them, enjoying beautiful English nature (one of the places we love is Headley Heath, a wonderful park not far from where we live) I’m also very happy on my own, painting in my little studio.

AKJ: Is there a recent exhibition that has thrilled you ?

IO: The exhibition that has thrilled me the most was at the British Museum and it was called “I am Ashurbanipal, King of the World, King of Assyria”. I was absolutely astonished by it, it was like being in a dream or under a spell, I had to see it a second time. It was a few years ago but nothing I have seen since has impressed me as much.

AKJ: If you could ask any other artist just one question, who would that be?

IO: I would ask Diego Velázquez: “Please can I watch you paint?”

AKJ: What is the biggest challenge that you face professionally?

IO: I often feel like I have too many ideas and I want to work on them simultaneously. Prioritising is definitely a challenge for somebody like me, I get fired up easily, I start a painting, then abandon it mid-way to work on something more exciting. I always wish I had more quality time in the studio.

AKJ: What is a book that has influenced your life?

IO: I have always been an avid reader and the list of books that have shaped me would be rather long, however one book stands out for me - Moomins and the Great Flood by Tove Jansson. I read it in one sitting to my then five year old son, who immediately fell in love with it and started us on a wonderful journey of discovering the world that Tove Jansson has created. We read all of the books, watched all of the cartoons, attended exhibitions of Tove’s work and even travelled to Finland to visit Moomin World, Moomin Museum and Moomin café. It was such a joyful experience and was much needed because at the time I was recovering after a serious and prolonged illness. It gave me a huge boost and renewed my love of life and art.

AKJ: What do you collect?

IO: I collect beautiful books, mostly art books but I also have a huge collection of illustrated children’s books. My husband and I collect artwork – small paintings and drawings we find at antique markets and auctions. A few years ago, we started collecting Schuco windup toys, I find them absolutely delightful.

AKJ: What small luxury item is indispensable to you/something you can’t live without?

IO: I am pretty low maintenance and indifferent to luxury, but I must have a good quality dark chocolate.

AKJ: What is your travel hack?

IO: It has been a while since I travelled and I’m not a great traveller at best of times. Every time I mean to plan our activities in advance and every time we arrive with no plan and start our research there and then. We do end up having great time though, so that might be a hack, come to think of it - don’t make definite plans and just go with the flow.

AKJ: If an artist were to paint your portrait, who would you choose?

IO: If I could choose anyone…. Sir Anthony Van Dyck would be my first choice (if my likeness was to remain for posterity, it might as well be fabulous) A portrait by either Thomas Lawrence or John Singer Sargent would also be rather wonderful.

AKJ: What is your favorite quote?

IO: I’m not a huge fan of quotes, especially when they are taken out of context, however I do like this quote by the great Terry Pratchett, I think it applies to everyone everywhere: “If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star, you’ll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren’t so lazy”

AKJ: What are you currently reading?

IO: I always have a few books on the go, currently I’m reading Howards End by Forster, Claudine a l’Ecole by Colette to keep up with my French studies and a book of short stories by marvellous Nadejda Teffi. I also read aloud together with my son every day, at the moment we are reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in French and Dune by Frank Herbert (we love the new films and decided to read the books).

THE ARTIST’S EYE

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Art/artefact is a nationally recognized art advisory and interior design practice founded by Audra Kiewiet de Jonge and known for placing a great collection at the heart of every interior.

Formally trained as a painter and an art historian, Audra’s modern sensibility is informed by her historical perspective—bringing art and objects into context and conversation with the way we live today.

Working with private and corporate clients nationally, our interiors are meticulously curated and expertly built to be high on artistry, but not on pretense.

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