enpen:  What is the fourth thing you think of when you hear the name Joan Mitchell?

Jennifer Combe:  I wonder what her refrigerator looked like. And if she organized
her sock drawer.

Does pink represent the warmth of budding love/joy, or is it the new brown?

I've been told that pink is already out. And I realized again that
I'm on the outside.
In 1991 I had a pair of pink snowboarding pants made because it was
out. I've tended to try and avoid trends but they're inescapable, even
if one is living in defiance of them.

I thought of titling the show Happiness, but the feedback I received
from friends was critical of that choice- it gave too much
information.

Isn't Olympia the greatest place on Earth?  Elaborate.

That's a tricky question to ask in March. This is the time when
many of us take the most drastic measures and book tickets to places
we can't really afford to visit, or swear that were "really moving
this time."  Yes, Olympia rocks. We have great thinkers and activism
and organic options. We, like many other towns, have accessible art.
We can ride our bikes and The People have a place here (uh...well
unless you're poor and homeless). But the rain and constant drone of I
- 5 are exhausting. But, when I leave for long periods of time I long
to return.

Is life a bursting forth, or a gradual grinding through?

Most definitely a grind.


The Black Front Gallery (106 4th Ave E.) is running Jennifer's show Pink through the end of March.