Mclean Jenkins

"Basilica" - Venice - Architectural Watercolor Painting - Turner

2018

A. McLean Jenkins is inspired by the works of J. M. W. Turner, Richard Diebenkorn and Louis Isadore Kahn. Jenkins is a practising architect with McAlpine and his work derives from and celebrates the classical forms of his trade. Working in graphite, ink and watercolor, Jenkins employs a gestural approach that frees his hand to explore a subject’s essence. His compositions rely on the quick, decisive sketch and are then given over to the whims and splashes of watercolor. Spontaneity, movement and spirit are all emphasized and his drawings collectively form their own narrative of his passion for architecture. The city of Venice has captured his imagination since his first trip there as a 12-year-old boy. Over the years a kind of courtship with the city has evolved and its impact has motivated and sustained his development as both architect and artist. His work depicting the city has been recognized within the architectural profession by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation in its award to McLean of the J. Neel Reid Prize. His work has been shown in Atlanta’s Swan Coach House Gallery, Studio 21 in Charlotte and Gallery Left Bank in Prague. He has completed multiple commissions capturing classical architecture including his latest for a historic building on the Georgia Tech campus for the President’s office.