Bio
“Using bold colors to depict theatrically lit objects, her paintings invite speculation into the possible metaphors.” — California Home+Design magazine
Mimi Jensen is a painter who is inspired by her observations. She translates that inspiration into convincing portrayals of reality, whether painted from life or from her own imagination. Her paintings range from the still life to interiors to imaginary environments, with an emphasis on the still life in recent years. Her works are in hundreds of collections worldwide.
Jensen’s education and early work experience were eclectic – Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Speech Therapist, Technical Editor, and for those coveted travel benefits, airline Analyst. Eventually she was able to pursue her love of creating art by returning for graduate studies in drawing and painting to California State University, Long Beach. While a graduate student she was selected for her first commercial gallery show, which led to subsequent exhibitions and launched her professional career as a painter. Since then, she has been largely self-taught while supplementing her own studio work with occasional workshops — U.C. Berkeley (Leigh Hyams), Gage Academy (John Morra, Jim Phalen), Bay Area Classical Atelier (Juliet Aristides), Stanford — to further her art education. She has exhibited widely in the U.S., has been featured in numerous print and online publications – American Art Collector, California Home+Design, Fine Art Today, New American Paintings, Professional Artist, Southwest Art, The Artist’s Magazine, ArtBusiness.com, Venetian Red. She is currently represented by Andra Norris Gallery, Burlingame, CA
Mimi is a California native. Although she has lived in California all her life, she has traveled widely, prompted by her wanderlust and curiosity about other lands and cultures. The objects and ideas collected in these travels often appear in her work. She and her husband, George Elbaum, moved to San Francisco in 1990. Despite her love of travel she always welcomes returning to San Francisco, where she continues to revel in the beauty, art, cuisine, and bustle of her adopted city.