WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN ARTIST, AND HOW HAS YOUR JOURNEY EVOLVED OVER TIME?
There wasn’t a ‘lightbulb’ moment that made me become an artist, it was just a gradual thing. I have been painting and drawing for as long as I remember. When I was a child I used to watch a programme on TV with an artist called Nancy Kominsky who painted with a palette knife and I found this fascinating. However, using a palette knife was short lived and I developed my own style which was very much in contrast to what I had done previously in that I tended to do very detailed work.Generally I paint landscapes and Seascapes but the topics within these genres have evolved as have the mediums I use.Initially I painted scenes that included some sort of historic building such as castles, stately homes, thatched cottages and such things as rows of buildings in quaint Cotswold villages. I painted such topics for many years and then after visiting Anglesey on holiday I was inspired by the wide open spaces of sea views and then began to paint seascapes. I also found I was drawn to dramatic skies and these began to feature in my work and still do.More recently I have begin to paint historic buildings again and many local scenes but I still do Seascapes.Watercolours and Oils were my mediums of choice for many years but about 15 or 16 years ago I experimented with acrylics and found them very easy to use and I gave been using them ever since. On occasions I still use oils but very rarely use watercolours now.
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS? HOW DO YOU APPROACH STARTING A NEW PIECE OR PROJECT?
I begin my work with a photograph. When I’m out and about I take photographs of views that I think would make a good painting. Nowadays with digital cameras it is excellent as I can take many photos of the view from various angles and then pick the best to paint. I sketch out the picture onto the canvas or painting panel and then add the paint using the photo for reference.
WHAT THEMES OR SUBJECTS DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DRAWN TO IN YOUR ARTWORK, AND WHY?
As to what subjects I am drawn to they are described above. However, the inspiration for painting the historic buildings comes from my interest in history and heritage. I began painting the Seascapes when I was going through a difficult period in my life. I found the wide open spaces and the sea on Anglesey very relaxing and therapeutic and as such began to paint them.
COULD YOU SHARE A MEMORABLE OR SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN YOUR ARTISTIC CAREER THAT HAS HAD A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU?
I have recently exhibited at Lytham Heritage Centre (October 2023) which was perhaps the biggest and most significant exhibition I have had (SO FAR). As for most memorable moment I would have to say that that was when my favourite actor (who I won’t name) bought one of my paintings.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR ARTISTS, MOVEMENTS, OR STYLES THAT HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR WORK?
I like the work of few well known artists and movements. I particularly like the work of some of the ‘Old Masters’ of the 17th century such as Rembrant, Rubens, Vermeer and in particular Van Dyck.Of a slightly later era I do very much like Canaletto. His work is extremely detailed as is mine so I think, albeit subconsciously, that he had had a huge influence on me.In some respects the work of J. M. W. Turner is similar to mine, subject wise, but his style of painting is very different. I do admire his work.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOUR WORK/CONTACT YOU?
I have a website jaynesart.co.uk
Here is a link to my Etsy shop etsy.com/uk/shop/Jaynesartwork
On Facebook facebook.com/jaynesartwork/
My e-mail address is: jayne408@btinternet.com
