Re:View's writer, Krysta Stone, asks artist Jaclyn Schanes about her current work. Schanes will be presenting a one-night art performance piece at Re:View on Saturday, July 31.
Re:Writer: Why Watercolor?
JS: To fondle secretions with bitter brushstrokes. Celebrating an unexpected (personal) expressionistic tradition with the anti-expressionist medium. Watercolor is soft, wet and seductive. My goal is to toss and turn the brush with BRUTAL strokes. Beat the paint till it can't sleep at night. Although it's not my fault when the water goes awry and decides for itself where to live forever. Blame it on the f***ing water...Re:Writer: Is Fear a component of your work?
JS: I hear life experience is a very important key to driving a persons art. I also hear that my traumas lie blatantly on my face. Constantly having to explain the scar on my chest-which is from when I was shot in the Nam. No, really...(in my past life). Anyway, a masochistic obsession with dancing with the inner devil does help fuel my art.Ex-boyfriends love to tell me I am a victim of Ennui. So in lieu of the comments, I have thrust into my brain to stay in the most disturbed pocket. Maybe, it's uncontrollable, maybe not. But to answer the question finally, Yes, I work best when indulging in my fears. Fears of social endeavors, fears of the past, the future...the apocalypse. The fear of saying I am afraid of falling, and for saying such, causing the fateful storm to bring the former to life-or to take my life. Fear is not the only emotion I evoke from inside while conceptualizing. I try to make it a point to snuggle and wrestle with each feeling. Gershwin's masterpiece "Rhapsody in Blue" is a melting pot of every conceivable mental state. I envy that ability and want to provoke all sorts of opinions.
