AHA!: What’s the most important thing you would do with $100M?
JCJ: I would research a new technology that would put ideas directly into people's minds.
AHA!: What kinds of ideas?
JCJ: I don't know, exactly, I'll have to hire a marketing agency
with whatever money is left.
JCJ: One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, The Bible, Collected Works of
William Shakespeare -- Piano, Boat, Sunscreen, --
Nikola Tesla, Frédéric Chopin, and Andy Morris.
AHA!: Which
of your works have given you the most personal satisfaction? Why?
JCJ: Currently, my favorite work is the series I just completed of collaged decals on china
plates. I found making them very engaging. It is satisfying to develop new techniques for working
with such ancient materials.
AHA!: What people, whom you have known, have significantly influenced your art?
JCJ: : I had the chance to work very closely with Michael Lucero
while I was in graduate school at UGA. He's a very colorful man, and he really
inspired me to reach beyond what
is conventional in my medium.
Also, my grandmother Lylas Koffard, who was a very creative and encouraging woman. She was always crafting something, and at some point she took up painting bisque with acrylic. One project she undertook was a very large and elaborate Nativity scene. For a few years she sent out figurines that she had painted to her sons and daughters as Christmas presents. I think the first year my mom got the Holy Family, maybe the wise men came the next year, and so on until there were shepherds, oxen, sheep, and even camels for the magi. She always took interest in my drawings when I was a kid and was even happy to see me studying art in college!
AHA!: What training and experience has
helped you most to becoming an artist?
JCJ: I took a lot
of school. That helped as far as being exposed to like-minded people and having
access to a variety of tools and materials. Learning to play instruments and
playing music in bands has also been very helpful to me because it helps to
keep my creative mind sharp and healthy.
AHA!: Specifically
regarding art, where do you find most of your inspiration?
JCJ: People inspire me. We are all so capable and interesting and
complex. And each one of us is completely unique in detail. Beyond that, the culture we all create
together and the ideas that are sacrosanct to our culture interest me and can
be a good place for me to start making something.
AHA!: What percentage of the ideas you
have for works come to fruition?
JCJ: Now? Nearly 100%. I guess I make most everything I think about.
With this mode that I'm working in, the collaged decals, I make most of the
images that I want to make. I was thinking about making images of tractors, but
that hasn't happened yet. I started working on figures instead. In the past,
maybe 10% because I was looking for a way to make what I liked or what felt
natural. I am more focused now.
AHA!: Describe your mood and
surroundings when the best ideas for making art come to you.
JCJ: I am
anywhere, but it's probably sunny.
I’m in a good mood, feeling free, feeling capable.
AHA!: Describe
your mood and surroundings when you are producing art.
JCJ: My studio is
mildly chaotic. There is usually a video that I have seen before playing on the
computer. Probably Murder, She Wrote or Star
Trek, I’ve seen all the Star Treks at least three
times. Sometimes I need a diversion. You know the part of your brain that’s
always talking to you? I try to give it a distraction. And also, when I’m
working, if I get frustrated, I’ll stop and go clean my house or bang on the
piano. Good things don't usually
happen when I am fighting with the work.
AHA!:
Complete this sentence: As I get
older, I find that I am more…..
AHA!: What do you like most about
yourself?
JCJ: Probably just
the fact that I’m alive. That’s what I like best about everybody I like.
AHA!: How would you like to be
remembered?
JCJ:
Electronically.
AHA!: We’re all going to die one day.
What would be your preferred form of death?
JCJ: It wouldn’t
really matter but I hope that somebody who loves me was there to see me out the
door. I guess nobody really wants to die alone.
JCJ: I like people
who are comfortable with themselves, and who are genuine. Interacting with some
people can be too much like watching TV. I like people who are able to think
for themselves, and I am attracted to people who are committed to developing
their talents.
AHA!: The best word to describe you is:
AHA!: Thank
you letting me feature you for the inaugural AthensHasArt! interview.
JCJ: It has been my pleasure. Thank you for
the attention! Now if you don't mind, please give me five nouns to describe yourself!
AHA!: Thinker,
Writer, Wonderer, Philosopher, Skeptic
See more pictures and
information about works by JC
Jones at http://cargocollective.com/jaseyjones.
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