Connection - Arts by Jodee Clifford

Works of honesty and nonverbal communication through body language of people socially dancing lead & follow in oil on canvas.

Connection is a body of work that began with dancers in 2016. It’s a series of oil paintings, watercolors, drawings, & ink drawings that explore human connection through body language, touch, & gesture: communicating & connecting without words through improvisational lead and follow social dance.

I am a dancer with a background in news media. This work is a reflection on communication that contrasts language with honesty, transparency, and authenticity. Control, honesty, truth, and power are in play.

Spinning. West coast swing dancers and DJ at Hot Westie Nights. 36×48″ oil on canvas 2018.
1st place oil painting, Tinicum Arts Festival, Bucks County, PA. 2024.
“Out of Place” Fountain Street Gallery, Boston, MA. 2020

Torque. Connection: West coast swing dancers. 30×40″ oil / canvas. 2018
West Coast Swing Dancers at Dardo Galletto Studio

Duck, West Coast Swing Dancers in Haddonfield. Oil on Canvas. 30×40″

Ochos, West Coast Swing Dancers in Haddonfield. Oil on Canvas. 30×40″

Point, West Coast Swing Dancers in Haddonfield. Oil on Canvas. 30×40″

Listening. Connection: West coast swing dancers. 30×40″ oil / canvas. 2018
West Coast Swing Dancers at Dardo Galletto Studio

Lead. Follow. Connection: West coast swing dancers. 30×40″ oil / canvas. 2018
West Coast Swing Dancers at Dardo Galletto Studio

🔴 Cape Walk. West coast swing dancers at Sangha Space, Media, PA. 2018
Connection series. 36×48″ oil/canvas

Studies in ink on paper

Dancing in the dark, watercolor on paper, 16×20, 2017

Dancing in the dark 2, watercolor on paper, 18×24″