In our first catching up with a classmate interview series, we kick this off with Jolynn Jeppson Forman. Jolynn is part of our reunion planning committee, and since high school she has gone on to be an accomplished award-winning artist. If you had a math class with Mr. Frischknecht, you may recall the amazing pastel chalk drawings on his walls. That was all Jolynn! Jolynn has been kind enough to donate one of her original pieces to the opportunity drawing we are having during our reunion banquet.
Q: What are some of the exciting things you can been up to over the last 20 years?
A: I can’t believe it has been 20 years! It has gone so fast yet it very full with all that happened in those years. Right after high school, I went to Utah State University and graduated in 3 years with a Bachelors in Fine Arts. Then, because i was not ready to face the world, I left for a LDS mission in the Dominican Republic. That was a lot like camping for a year and a half…no running water and often no electricity. And LOTS of bugs. After my mission, I married Doug Forman (also an Alta graduate) and we have four kids, all girls, including identical twin girls; it is very emotional in my house. I just finished off my second bachelors degree, this time in Art Education so I can teach junior high or high school now. I have a plethora of pets including a pet fox. We live in Santaquin, Utah and are doing great. I am a professional painter and involved a lot with local arts boards and community events.
Q: What were some of your favorite things in high school to do?
A: In high school, I was heavily involved in Stage Crew and Art. I painted the stage for several of the plays with Paul Winkleman and Dave Vallet. I was Sterling Scholar in Art my senior year at Alta so art was beginning to be important in my life. I got involved in art honestly because of a high school art teacher, Doug Allen. I dabbled in art before my senior year but not seriously. Mr. Allen sat down next to me one day and asked me what I was going to do with my talent. I looked at him in confusion and said, “Nothing” because I had no idea WHAT to do with my hobby. I wanted to be an animal trainer, not an artist. He scolded me and told me I had talent and I shouldn’t waste it. Those words stuck with me and I ended up switching majors at Utah State to art my junior year.
Q: Tell me about your artistic process. Where do you find inspiration?
A: I am an unusual artist in that I LOVE both abstract and realism; most artists pick one or the other. My unique style is combining up the best elements of both into one painting so the emotional fluidity of abstract with the narrative realism. Basically: crazy strokes with wax and acrylic paint then a photo like painting on top in oil paint.
Q: You have been kind enough to donate one of your original paintings for the reunion. Tell us about this specific piece.
A: The piece I am donating to the auction is still being made. It will done in oil and cold wax and be a larger piece. You will all just have to be surprised because I don’t have a picture of it yet!
Q: Where can we see your artwork?
A: My upcoming show is May 20th at the Utah County Spring Art Show at Zions Bank on 180 N University Ave in Provo from 6-9 pm. Please come! There will be lots of fancy food and art from artists all over Utah County. I will have 12-15 pieces there for sale. As of today, I am represented by Lunds Fine Art Gallery in Park City. My website is www.jolynnforman.com if anybody
wants to see my art. You can contact me at
jolynn191978@gmail.com if you are interested in a
commission or current piece.
Q: What are you most looking forward to at the reunion?
A: The people I havent seen for 20 years! Facebook only finds a few of those “lost” souls. What are they up to? What have they been doing? It will be a great night!
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