Interview with Jana feverston

Jana Feverston: Fine Artist at DAAP
http://myworldofart-jana.blogspot.com/

I had the opportunity to interview Jana Feverston, a fellow artist in her junior year in the Fine Arts program at DAAP. Like myself, Feverston is following a career path with the goal of attending graduate school for art therapy. Her and I have crossed paths several times since our freshman year but have had minimal interaction; that is until recently. We both discovered our salient similarities in our life goals and personality traits and decided we are destined to become friends. And so our relationship begins…

Below is the interview.











1. What is your choice medium?

I used to work with mixed media such as pen, India ink, pastel, watercolor, oil paint, acrylic and currently I mainly work strictly with oil paint with some smaller mixed media projects. I work with many different materials, such as with my oil paints I may use wax which dulls the pigments or galkalyd which blends the paints while using thin layers of pigment that causes it to appear transparent.



2. How would you describe your work?

My work deals a lot with multiple aspects of the senses; I am very interested in texture in how something feels and the visual it creates. I also use my art as a way to physically express my momentary emotional standpoint and how I feel while creating the work. I greatly embrace the feeling involved in my mark making techniques whether they be intentional or unintentional, every mark has a purpose and meaning in my art.



3. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I draw my inspiration from many artists such as Mark Schwartz, Shannon Campanaro, Gary Petersen, and Elizabeth Gilfilen. Organic images and textures which are derived from nature. I also incorporate some manmade creations.



4. Where do you most enjoy doing your work?

I mainly enjoy working within the studio and at home sitting at the kitchen table. When it is really nice outside I love throwing a blanket on the ground and basking in the sunlight which is a therapeutic process of working. Mostly, I enjoy making art anywhere I can make a home.










Here are some images of her artwork:

Flower No. 2, 2011, oil paint on canvas, 30" x 24"

Red Elephant, 2011, mixed media on water color paper, 13.5" x 10.5"

Carnival Shoe, 2011, mixed media on water color paper, 24" x 17"

Technical Process of Forging Metal

In forging wrought iron metal, the artist must first saw the rods to the correct sizes. Most wrought iron initially comes as extremely long poles which are approximately ten feet tall. After preparing the metal to the accurate sizes, the metal must be inserted into the already lit and burning forge. The wrought iron must stay in the forge for several minutes until the metal is red hot. Once red hot, the metal can be carefully removed when the artist is properly wearing the correct protection (i.e. protective jacket, safety glasses, pants and heat resistant gloves). The wrought iron can be bent on the anvil but either monotonous hammering or bending on the slots available of the anvil. After the metal is formed in the desired shape, cool water must contact the metal until it has stopped steaming. Then the artist is capable of handling the now cooled metal while still wearing protective gloves.

Here are several images of my latest wrought iron creation. This piece will be covered in a stretchy mesh fabric, illuminated from within and suspended at eye level. This work in progress in far from completion, the end product will be a piece with derived inspiration from by Ernesto Neto, Lee Bontecou and the form of a jellyfish and chandelier.

Here are some rough in progress photographs to give you further understand of the design. Current size: 3 x 2 x 2 ft

Here is one final image to give you a visual of the size.

Artist Statement

Ever since before I was born my mother has had an unwavering passion and natural talent in the arts. I have inherited her artistic gene and begun my travels down the same path. I have always created art, so much that when I was just a little girl my mom gave me the nickname “The Maker of Things.” I have upheld this name to this very day.

During the past two years of attending the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati I have become exceedingly fascinated with the natural and organic, creating mixed media art consisting of a minimal amount of color. Much of my work is created in high contrast with sinuous lines and clean sharp edges. I am transfixed with incorporating natural objects in my art, such as wood grain, Zen Gardens, feathers, wings, moths and mythological creatures; but I also have an interest in readymade creations such as antiques, gears, light bulbs, miscellaneous found objects and mythological creatures.

Throughout my teenage years I became attracted to the darker side of life and the art I created followed. Due to my struggle with depression during high school, I have often included odd subject matter in my artwork such as twisted or manipulated human figures often influenced by the work of H. R. Giger.

The techniques of art-making I am most recently involved with are metal forging and digital painting. To me, fabricating art should be an escape from the stresses and trials of life, a kind of meditation connecting myself to my surroundings. With this in mind, I realize everything on this planet can be cherished if one simply decides to revel in the beauty set before them rather than passing it by.

Weston Art Gallery Exhibition Review

The Weston Art Gallery (supported by Alice F. and Harris K. Weston) is a non-profit exhibition space devoted to the promotion of local and regional artists. The space is located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati's restaurant and theatre district. On the website for the gallery space, it reads "Independent curator Matt Distel (Cincinnati, OH) returns to the Weston with a group exhibition, Material Witness, that examines artworks in which the exposed structural components dictate the conceptual and formal readings of the objects."

www.westonartgallery.com

In this review I will be discussing the work found in the exhibition of Material Witness.

Upon arrival through the main doors with my Advance Sculpture class taught by Linda Einfalt, we viewed a very large pale blue deer carved out of sculptural foam. The title of this fawn, formed by Matthew Flegle, is Bewilderness. It stands ten feet tall and twelve feet in length. Grounding the massive but lightweight structure are cement blocks at the base of each hoof. The fawns left rear leg is supported by three metal rods and a bucket filled with cement. Across the deers nose and covering its eyes lies a very large white and angular horn. behind the entire sculpture is a drywall structure created for the display of the piece. within the wall is a gaping hold which is a perfect fit for the horn upon the deers head. When walking behind the wall one can see its form projecting through the structure.

Directly across the large room can be found a collapsible house which can be folded and unfolded to allow for protection or extra space. The house is made of materials which would be destroyed by weather if it were located outside in a natural environment. The house is made of plywood and cardboard, drywall and etc. All of the walls of the house are on cabled which can be lowered or pulled tight. Currently in the exhibit the walls are up only allowing slight cracks for the viewer to peek through. On one side of the structure is an open door way. Upon entering the viewer can see a cushioned seat with a video projection reeling on the wall. The video demonstrates the function of the house and informs the viewer that what they see is only portion of the entire creation. This piece is created by Philip Spangler and is titled Open Source Project Space (prototype).

After leaving the top level, the viewer proceeds down the staircase and around several turns to arrive at a new location. They enter a room where a single cushioned and damaged chair sits propped up on planks of wood and other such scrap material. The walls in the space are painted in a disarray of gray and white stripes similar to those once painted on submarines which were designed as camouflage similar to that of Zebra's which is meant to confuse the attacker. The work produced in this room is five TV screens across the walls all showing different videos. Each video has its own soundtrack of instrumental music. The work produced is created by the organization called Design 99 and titled Total Benefit Solutions.

In one video a bulldozer travels around in search of abandoned mattresses to the sides of streets. Collecting them the bulldozer creates a totem in their commemoration by cutting down a tree and sawing its remaining form into a sharp spike. It then pushes each mattress onto the remaining tree until the tree protrudes from the springs and cloth. After placing several mattresses on the tree in this way it tops of the totem with a cushioned chair. This piece is titled Clearing a path to the Future: Garbage Totem No.1 which is part of a bigger project titled the Powerhouse and Neighborhood Machine. Copy and pastthe link below to watch the video.

www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=H-EmIYFbAFE"

Furthermore, other videos in the room display film of the Heidelburg Project. This project produced by Tyree Guyton, takes place in Detroit, Michigan. This artist purchases run down and abandoned neighborhoods and alters them by painting vibrant colors and designs across the buildings, houses and walls. He also sets up signs which have inspiring and thought provoking messages about religion and life. On Heidelburg.org it is stated regarding the project, "Tyree Guyton’s vision has created a world-wide audience of both artists and non-artists and at the same time brought a renewed sense of health and hope back to an impoverished community."

In a room near this previous space can be found a thirty foot long array of hanging rings ranging in size from large to small and back to large. This piece is constructed out of carved and smoothly sanded wood created by Terry Berlier. The piece is made to reflect the age and formation of tree rings. It is titled Divergent Timing

Finally in regard to the pieces involved in the exhibit Material Witness displayed at the Weston Art Gallery I will discuss the work produced by Chris Vorhees. He found a disregarded cardboard box which previously contained a "Sofa Server" purchased from Ikea. He designed a structure nearly identical to the picture of the "Sofa Server" portrayed on the box. Quoted about the process involved in the creation of the piece it was stated, "The discovery of a discarded box for a bentwood side table on wheels — marked down to $3.99 — prompted Vorhees to try to replicate the design. About $2,000 later, he figured it out. I’m still trying to figure out if the joke is on him or on us."

In regard to all of the work involved in the exhibit which I did not reference, especially my favorite pieces which I could not find images for, I greatly enjoyed my experience at the Weston Art Gallery and plan to return as soon as possible to visit the next upcoming exhibition.

Shepard Fairey Propaganda

Consider the artwork produced by Frank Shepard Fairey. A young and successful muralist who’s field is in the public art of stenciling. He is well known for his visual political campaigns. He has become widely known because of his political campaign posters. On one poster particularly controversial, he replaces Barack Obama’s face from his “Hope” poster with an image of V from V for Vendetta. He is one of the world’s most influential political street artists. Furthermore, another of Fairey’s controversial stickers which initially prompted him to become famous is his Andre the Giant Has a Posse stickers which in large white letters beneath the image are written the word OBEY. Fairey states “The sticker has no meaning but exists only to cause people to react, to contemplate and search for meaning in the sticker.”

Send in an envelope to the address on the site and receive a free propaganda sticker.

V for Vendetta

http://stickerobot.com/projects/occupy.php

My Master Pieces

Gargoyle Forged and welded rod iron, sewn mesh fabric, leather belts and sheet metal. (3x4x2)

I created these wings for my Intro Sculpture class in my Junior Year.

Pending Idealiations of Ernesto Neto and Lee Bul

What am i currently entranced by? Where do I was my art to lead me? A sculpture I foresee myself creating deals with a chandelier form similar to that of a jellyfish. The spine or skeleton of the structure will be made of forged and welded rod iron. mesh fabric will be stretched and sown to the metal bars. Hanging from each of the twisting spines will be different sizes of fabric sacks filled with sand or cotton.

The artist I am currently researching is Ernesto Neto. He creates sculptures similar to the hanging sacks I am looking to create. Not only does he display his work in gallery spaces but also he permits other senses from the audience to come into play. Often he fills his pieces with spices or herbs sending out scents to the viewer, they can also touch and feel the work. his work is very interactive by either walking through the piece or becoming connected with it.

Furthermore, my work differs from that of Ernesto Neto in his use of color. Not all of his works are vibrant in color, but sometimes he uses a palette which is very different to my own preferences. Even though his color isn't a preference within my own work I find his use of pale and light color very fascinating. But when he uses neutral colors I am greatly inspired by his process and plan on attempting such in my own work. Not only does his work display chandelier like structures but also the drooping/sagging sacks beneath it. Also, He uses primarily nylon in his installations while filling them with sand which causes a certain kind of tension within the piece. I am attempting to portray a similar kind of tension through the stretched fabric inn my sculpture.

I was initially inspired by the form of the chandelier due to three different significant experiences.

Firstly: for my last sculpture class last quarter I had to research and artist for a Power Point presentation. I discovered the artist named Lee Bul who creates disintegrating neutral toned chandeliers which hang from the ceiling with draping metal and glass beads. Lee Bul uses so much of the draping effect that for the longest time I was convinced the material was fabric.

Secondly: In that same class, another student created a sculpture similar to a hot air balloon which also had hanging bottles filled with liquid. The tension and weightiness between the two pieces was incredible. I was fascinated by her cleverness.

Thirdly: I was at the Newport Aquarium for my four year anniversary with my fiance and I could not stop watching the Jellyfish swim about aimlessly. There tendrils twisting underneath them and being carried by the water. Their orange and yellow transitioning of colors and their movement left me breathless. Particularly the Sea Nettle Jellyfish.