bout JP Spencer

In 1970, J.P. Spencer found inspiration in the psychedelic movement in California, and began to paint surrealistic fantasies from the unconscious and subconscious. He took creative studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara working under the professor, poet, anarchist and pioneer of the Beat movement Kenneth Rexroth. His first art exhibit was displayed on the U.C.S.B campus and at the Santa Barbara Public library in 1971. With a passion for playing jazz piano, his early works were inspired by the rhythms and mystical elements of jazz as in John Coltrane's Om, One of the greatest artistic influences throughout his life has been the inspirational surrealist works of Salvador Dali. In 1972 J.P. Spencer met the world renowned allegorical figure and narrative mural painter Auriel Bessemer in Colorado Springs, Colorado under whom he studied briefly. Together J.P. and Auriel shared a love of "the classic spirit" following in the footsteps of the histories classical artists which include Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, El Greco, Rubens, Delacroix, and Rembrandt. J.P. also found great inspiration in the metaphysical works of Gustav Dore, and as his first wife Rose Liberte was writing angelically inspired poetry, the two blended their efforts into their first volume of poetry and art, "The Magical Mystical Miracle in Which We Live" published in 1979. Over the years, J.P. has been very eclectic in his paintings, drawing on inspiration from both his Afro-American roots and the Western influence of Montana inspired Native American art. Through the years he has enjoyed painting landscapes with mythical, surrealistic and impressionistic qualities, as well as portraits for his friends and family members. His greatest inspiration and helpmate since 1979 has been his second wife, Jalaine Alva Sorenson. Living in Montana, off Horse Creek road at the edge of Battle Ridge national forest wilderness, he has also been perpetually inspired in his nature and wildlife paintings since 1987.

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