The Goldmark Cultural Center’s Ruth Andres Gallery presents “SAME, BUT DIFFERENT II”, a joint exhibition of new paintings and mixed media works by Goldmark artists Mikey Hernandez and Jason Linenberger.
The exhibition is on display from 3/13 through 3/22, with a closing reception on Saturday 2/21 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Join us for the reception to meet the artists and learn from them about their artwork!
About the Exhibition
This exhibition brings together the works of Jason Linenberger and Mikey Hernandez, two artists whose practices operate in close proximity—physically, conceptually, and personally—while arriving at distinctly different outcomes. Working side by side as partners in life and in the studio, their work explores a shared visual language that reveals how artistic processes can be both aligned and divergent.
Both artists create non-representational abstract works, yet their approaches diverge in scale and material presence. Jason’s paintings are intimate in size, encouraging close viewing, while Mikey’s works expand across larger surfaces that emphasize physical movement and spatial engagement. Though both artists ultimately present their work on panel, their methods begin differently: Mikey initiates each piece on paper before adhering it to panel, while Jason works directly onto the panel from the outset.
Material choices further highlight these parallel differences. Each artist works within a restrained color palette and relies on wet media, yet the surfaces they produce contrast sharply. Jason’s works incorporate glossy resin, creating luminous, reflective finishes, while Mikey’s use of ink and watercolor results in matte surfaces that absorb light and emphasize texture.
Even shared tools take on different roles within their practices. Magnets appear in the work of both artists, yet their function shifts between process and presentation. Jason uses magnets during the early stages of making, allowing them to guide and influence the movement of materials. Mikey, by contrast, employs magnets as part of the installation, using them to mount or arrange works within the exhibition space.
Jason and Mikey are married and share a studio at Goldmark, where their practices unfold in constant dialogue. Both artists embrace a process-driven approach and regularly support one another through creative challenges, helping each other navigate obstacles that arise in the studio. This proximity fosters an environment of exchange and experimentation, while still allowing each artist to maintain a distinct visual voice.
Together, their work demonstrates how two artists can operate within a shared framework of ideas, materials, and space while producing outcomes that remain uniquely their own. The exhibition ultimately reflects a simple but compelling premise: the same, but different.