Jean Vengua is a California-born-and-raised writer, poet, and visual artist who grew up on its beaches and sunny avenues. Because Jean’s parents encouraged creativity at an early age, she dedicates an ongoing collage series to them called, “Family Papers,” which is a tribute and exploration of their lives.
Now based in Monterey, Jean is the author of Prau (Meritage Press), The Aching Vicinities (Otoliths Press), Corporeal (Black Radish Books), and her most recent chapbook, Marcelina, a meditation on the murder of Celine Navarro, was published by Paloma Press in October 2020. Marcelina has been recently nominated for a Pushcart. With Mark Young, Jean co-edited the First Hay(na)ku Anthology, and The Hay(na)ku Anthology Vol. II. Her poetry and essays have been published widely in journals and anthologies. She also offers professional editing services.
Jean returns to the visual arts after a hiatus of about 30 years, during which she focused on writing and teaching. As with her writing, her art leans toward the experimental and process. She loves to explore bold colors, shapes, and line through haptics and painting, often incorporating collage as a way to bring her personal history and family life into the process.
You can read more about Jean, her writing and art at jeanvengua.com.
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Art Pairing
Slicing Tomatoes 