Jolene Biss died suddenly on February 10th, 2011, after dropping off paintings at the Indio Date Festival, where she won three medals. Biss was a longtime member of the Desert Art Center in Palm Springs, an institution that has nurtured many important desert artists.
Early Light
Biss was living with her husband, Don, in the same Banning cottage where her parents raised her. Before returning to Banning recently, the couple had lived for years in the Klamath River region of Northern California, where Biss discovered the basketry of the Karuk Indians and started painting baskets and the basket-makers themselves. “She just kind of leaned into it,” says Don.
Known for her intricate still-lifes, landscapes, and desert scenes, Biss also specialized in the baskets, which honed her abilities at capturing texture and light.
At the time of her death, Jolene was in discussion with a childhood classmate, Ernest Siva, about painting a mural of Indian life in Banning’s historic post office. A well-known Cahuilla/Serrano elder, Siva is cultural advisor to the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. Biss also was scheduled to teach a pastel class at the Banning Center for the Arts; she had several desert paint-outs marked on her calendar.
Biss’ work has been shown at the Death Valley 49ers Western Art Show, The Phippen Western Art Show, the Circle of Art in Borrego Springs, Art under the Umbrellas in La Quinta, and many other venues.
For inquiries about Jolene’s work, contact Don Biss: (951) 849-8216.
Ann, read your article about Jolene and thought is was very nice of you to write it. It is a deserving tribute to her. I was out painting the other day and I thought about both Louise and Jolene and I wished they could have been painting with me, like so often in the past. I hope they were looking down and chuckling at me and enjoying the frustration a outdoor painter experiences.
Was shocked to learn of Jolene’s death. We will miss her here in Siskiyou County. Years ago, she was president of our local art association and was still actively involved in giving critiques and workshops. She will be sorely missed by artists in our local community.
I am the current President of the Siskiyou Artists Association in Northern California and it is with deep regret that I just recently heard of her sudden death. She had just this last July given a critique at our meeting and was always willling to do so. My condolences to her husband Don.
I am so sorry to hear about Jolene. She and I worked together on an outdoor painting workshop. And she so loved her involvement in the arts.
Sincerely,
Barbara Stewart