Listening Within

Jason Jenn

40 X 30″

Mixed media on canvas, acrylic paint, colored pencil, watercolor, mud, natural roots, twine, glue, cardboard mache, glitter.

The composition is divided between two worlds—the upper realm, where a child rests peacefully against a sunlit field, and the subterranean domain, where a radiant, pulsating form resembling both a human heart and a growing root takes center stage. This juxtaposition symbolizes the hidden processes of growth, renewal, and internal awakening, reinforcing the idea that the most profound transformations occur beneath the surface, unseen yet inevitable.

Beneath the child, the earth is rendered with intricate layers of organic material—roots, worms, and sedimentary striations—creating a textured, almost sculptural presence. The heavy impasto and mixed-media approach enhance the depth and materiality of the underground, mirroring the complexity of personal and spiritual growth. Decay, renewal, and the cycles of life are intricately woven into the composition, reminding the viewer of nature’s constant evolution and its parallels to human development.

At the core of the subterranean world, a hand-like form emerges, glowing with an iridescent spectrum of colors, radiating from a deep red center. This vibrant energy contrasts sharply with the earthy surroundings, symbolizing awakening, inner vitality, and the anticipation of personal emergence. The dynamic interplay between the child above—symbolizing innocence, potential, and receptivity—and the rooted energy below—representing wisdom, resilience, and life’s unseen currents—creates a visual and conceptual tension that encourages contemplation.

Jenn’s masterful use of color, texture, and abstraction transcends mere representation, evoking an emotional response linked to memory, personal growth, and the cyclical rhythms of nature. The child’s posture—calm, attuned, and deeply connected to the earth—reinforces the idea that listening inward, to oneself and to nature, is the key to transformation.