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| "Midas Touch" original watercolor by Mary Jansen |
Today
is another amazing Friday Feature, I feel like there is a never ending
supply of fabulous artists and I'm so happy each week when I get to
share another one with you.
This
weeks is Mary Jansen, her work is spectacular. She is really a jack of
all trades and seems to master everything she touches. I met Mary
through a blogger group I'm part of called Art Colony. Mary not only
paints at full size but she also paints in miniature and she does these
amazing Celtic Ukaranian eggs.
To see more of her work visit her blog.
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| "On Golden Pond" original watercolor by Mary Jansen |
How
did you get your start? What’s your artist journey so far?
This is a tough
question for pinpointing the “start” of an artist’s career is ambiguous at
best. When were we not artists? I believe creativity is an intrinsic character
trait built into our own DNA. This particular attribute defines who we are and
how we see the world around us. Constructing pots of mud from our backyard or
pilfering plaster cast “sculpture making” materials from my Dad’s medical
office as a child were favorite occupations from day one. Mom always had a pencil and paper on hand with
which I could doodle. So when did I start? From the moment I learned to grasp a
tool. When did I begin professionally? The moment I realized I had no choice
but to respect and acknowledge the disquieting creative process that churned
within me. This was when I had decided to hone my skills with the pursuit of a
degree in the arts.
Since then my artistic journey has been tremendously
fulfilling leading me to occupations in graphic design, design department
management, fine arts crafts and finally, full time watercolorist. It is
through watercolors that my creative muse is most satisfied. My artistic
journey continues as I explore ideas on formats anywhere between 2 x 3”,
(miniature painting) on up to full sheets of watercolor paper.
Where were you born?
I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio but grew up in northern
California. San Francisco/Bay Area is a
marvelous place to nurture a creative soul. There is so much cultural diversity
and artistic stimulation packed into that community!
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| "Golden Goose" original watercolor by Mary Jansen |
If you could live
anywhere where would you live?
I am drawn to the west coast. I would be at home any place
among big trees- from northern California up to British Columbia. It’s
important to live within a creative community as well. Artists have a way of
generating a thrilling kind of synergy among their friends and acquaintances!
What’s your favorite
thing to paint and why?
Birds. I just adore birds! I never tire of their unique
personalities, clever antics, graceful stature and movement and dazzling
feather patterns. When I paint them I focus on inherent characteristics of the
species I’m trying to convey. Are they particularly intelligent?
Graceful?Awkward?Energetic or cocky? If I can capture the personality of my
subject then I will have considered my composition a success.
I enjoy painting other topics as well. If the lighting is
enticing and the subject tells a story then it simply doesn’t matter WHAT the
subject matter is. It matters only that I convey the appropriate idea.
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| "Ugly Adolescence" original miniature watercolor by Mary Jansen |
Could you talk about
your painting techniques?
Watercolors are fickle and stock full of personality. To really
commit to this medium one must develop a relationship with every tube of paint.
Every color has its own characteristics, perks and flaws. And each one must be
tested so one is not surprised later while working on a painting. Once that
“relationship” is developed the fun begins.
A painting for me is an evolutionary process. It is critical
to begin with a strong concept and then remain faithful to that concept
throughout the development. This affects everything from how one composes the
elements to how one regards the lighting and pigments. I choose my limited
palette of paints before I even begin the drawing process. (And yes, this varies though I do use a core
palette of paints I couldn’t do without. They are my “Old Faithfuls”!) I work
from light to dark layering hundreds of washes to acquire luminosity, hue
intensity and value variation that best defines what I believe expresses the original
idea.
Some watercolorists are quick and confident in their
approach. My process is slow and calculating. Neither style is right or wrong
but merely a reflection of one’s personal tastes. Because my paint application is time
consuming, (arduous at times!) I must routinely remind myself of what the
painting is about. I will repeat this in my head and recite it as a kind of
mantra to keep me on target for it’s easy to digress from the core concept.
There are times in the process of painting where I become
extremely frustrated. I call it the “Ugly Duckling Stage”. This is generally the time when many of the
initial wash layers are applied and cover the greater part of the paper. The
image looks dull and unexciting as at this stage the value development has
really not had a chance to evolve. I must remind myself to push on and grind
through this stage for it is at this point that visual excitement is just
around the corner! I mention this because I know that many artists go through a
similar process only to give up at this point. Persevere and one will be
rewarded with a rich, satisfying piece of art!
Do you have go-to
paints/colors, what are your favorites?
My all-time favorite paints are the Daniel Smith
Quinacridone series. (Q. Deep Gold is my favorite of those.) These colors are
superior in blending, lifting, and the layering of clean washes. I find them
reliable and stunning.
I tend to steer away from opaque colors and rely on washes
to build up color and definition. I enjoy mixing interesting grays and love the
warmth of Winsor Orange mixed with French Ultramarine.
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| "Come to the Dark Side" original watercolor by Mary Jansen |
Do you have a
favorite artist? Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I have so many favorite artists I couldn’t possibly list
them all! I am spoiled for I live within close proximity to Chicago’s Art
Institute and get to indulge in the best! I love the lighting drama of old
Renaissance masters such as Caravaggio and Vermeer and I admire the design
considerations of Art Nouveau artists such as Parrish, Beardsley, Rackham and
Mucha. Extraordinary color
juxtapositions from Matisse and delicate portraits of Mary Cassatt excite my
muse! And who can leave out the fantastical illustrations of Brian Froud and
Adrienne Segur!
But watercolor
artists are my favorite. Of these there truly are too many. I think this is the “Age of Watercolor” and
we are so fortunate to not only see masterpieces come to fruition but we have
opportunities to rub shoulders with some of the “greats” and glean tips and
helpful information from them. I have never met a watercolorist yet that I have
not enjoyed wholeheartedly!
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| "Maggie's Nirvana" original watercolor by Mary Jansen |
What have been some
of your crowning achievements?
More rewarding than the acceptance of any award is the
affirmation one feels when a viewer takes in a painting and responds to it in
the way one had intended. To get
feedback through unsolicited comments and compliments is its own award for only
then can one really bask in the satisfaction of knowing a job was well done.
I have won many awards in several international miniature
shows in the last five years. Of them
the most noteworthy was the coveted “Excellence in All Entries” in the Florida
MASF exhibit in 2011. It’s always a thrill to learn the news of an award but I
think my most crowning achievement is having trained my family to subsist on
days of dinner leftovers while I obsess over paintings!
What are five things
you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? (Dream big here)
1. Acquiring signature membership in TWSA and AWS
2. Acquiring signature membership in MAA (Miniature Artists
of America)
3. Writing and publishing an article in a watercolor
magazine.
4. Development and facilitating of a watercolor
society/community within the Chicago suburbs.
5. A personal invitation to teach watercolor courses on a
year- long cruise through the Carribean, (hey, you DID say dream big here,
right?!)
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| "Yellow Lilies" original watercolor by Mary Jansen |
What is your advice
for other artists who are just getting started in their career?
There is a gentleman in our church who, in our weekly prayer
petition always says, “Pray for the perseverance of artists everywhere.” I love
that he solicits the Spirit to help artists remain true to the inherent talents
God has gifted them. Whether or not you
believe in God I think it so very important to take yourself and your
profession seriously and then maintain that mindset. Find that spirit or inner
tenacity to keep you motivated in the down times because there WILL be down
times regardless of how talented you are! It’s too easy to give up, especially
when society attempts to pigeon-hole our creative careers into “less-than-serious”
professions. An artist’s life is an emotional roller coaster ride but if one
examines those who have succeeded one will find a couple of common denominators among them: 1. they don’t
let society define who they are, 2. they take their professions seriously and
acquire the marketing and business skills to make it profitable.
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| "Humdinger Christmas" Mary's Christmas card for 2012 |
What is the best
advice that you have received as an artist?
Choosing the vocation of artist is not an easy path to
take. I can’t stress enough how vital it
is that one becomes involved in creative circles. Yes, artists are notoriously
introverted but to isolate oneself from the rest of the artist community is to
truly do oneself a disservice. Not only are there tremendous resources and
gleaning of techniques and information to be had from colleagues but there is
an emotional support system as well. I have been involved in several art
circles over the years. Some are local and some are online. Many of these
artists have become very close friends. The advice, support and companionship
is priceless. Get involved. Make friends and watch your career develop!
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| Mary's amazing Celtic Ukranian eggs, I want to learn how to do this!! |
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Both. What’s light without the shadow?
Your dream vacation
spot?
Well…if I’m “dreaming”…then a place resplendent in delicate
lights streaming through mossy redwood groves and cascading waterfalls. Oh…and
endless miles of hiking trails!
Book or Movie?
Book, (on a sunny couch with a purring kitty on my lap)
Favorite author?
Bill Bryson, Stephan Jay Gould, Annie Dillard,Phillipa
Gregory, E.O.Wilson, (what…I can only choose ONE?!)
Favorite Movie?
Galaxy Quest (so silly!)
Romance or Comedy
Yes!
Favorite Dessert
Root beer float with Mocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream
Night Owl or Morning
Person:
Morning. I like to
greet the day.
Thank you so much Mary!!
Carrie
