Artist Jen Bowles and The Micro Gallery owner Nicole Browning sit in front of Bowles' painting "Central Park West," inspired by the song by John Coltrane. Photo by Terry Telford

"On Green Dolphin Street" by Jen Bowles, inspired by the song by Bill Evans.

"Look for the Silver Lining" by Jen Bowles, inspired by the song by Chet Baker.

"Beyond the Sun" by Jen Bowles, inspired by the song by McCoy Tyner.

By Terry Telford

A new gallery with a twist joins the visual arts community on Saturday, April 17. The first exhibit opening for the unique, home-based The Micro Gallery, located in northwest Bakersfield, is a collection of works by artist Jen Bowles, whose distinctive style is easily recognizable and frequently seen on the walls of homes and galleries locally.

The Micro Gallery is owned and operated by Nicole Browning. While setting up her business, “Nicole Browning Art Consultation and Services,” in January, people suggested she turn her spacious home office into a small gallery. Because she often works with visual artists, having the space reflect art on every wall makes sense.

It also cuts costs.

“I have thought of owning a gallery before, but with the current economic situation, it did not seem feasible. However, by having the gallery attached to our residence, it made it more economical for both me and my clients,” says Browning. Not only does she not have to factor in rent, utilities and other expenses toward the cost of services, it’s also convenient for her to meet with clients and patrons at her home.

Browning plans to show a variety of art, both local and from out of the area.

“I don’t want to lock the gallery into a strict criteria, but my hope is that visitors will always come to the gallery and see something new, different, or intriguing,” she says.

For The Micro Gallery’s first exhibit, Browning felt it logical to turn to Bowles, who was the first artist to use Browning’s services.

Bowles’ unique creations have an industrial feel. Her thick, geometric paintings seem to be cut from a future construction project in a galaxy filled with rich colors and alien fossil patterns. How she creates the paintings remains a mystery to most, as Bowles lets very few people know the secret of her process — though both she and Browning have noticed people taking notes as they scrutinize the art.

Although Bowles has exhibited widely, she says showing her art in Browning’s gallery “has a quaint and intimate feeling. People can view the art in a more relaxed atmosphere.”

No special gallery lighting is used and ceiling heights are not dissimilar to what might be found in a typical home. In this way, potential buyers get a chance “to see the art as it would be in their own home,” says Bowles.

For this exhibit, Bowles turned to her love of jazz for inspiration. Each painting represents a particular song in her collection, from John Coltrane to Chet Baker. The swirls, textures and obscure shapes throughout her art pair well with the flow and syncopation of the musical genre.

She states that her enigmatic work stems from her interest in color theory and “the dichotomy of light and shadow.” Many pieces feature round holes cut out of the paintings, which she describes as “depth through absence, affecting light and shadow within the architectural space.”

The duo’s art venture, “Jen Bowles: Elements of Jazz – Rhythm, Mood, & Color,” opens Saturday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Micro Gallery, 6300 Coffee Road. Champagne and appetizers will be served.

For more information, including Browning’s next call to artists, “Fashion Forward: An Art Exhibit Inspired by the World of Fashion,” visit www.nicolebrowning.com.