Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself
I currently live and work in Glasgow. I studied painting at Edinburgh College of Art and went on to complete a Masters in fine art in Barcelona. I work in a studio at home and divide my time between teaching, painting and looking after two children. I am currently working on a series of painting’s documenting all my journeys in one year and hope to show this piece in a solo show at the Howden Art Centre in December 2011.
When did you decide to pursue art as a career?
My father was a civil engineer, but he had always had a very keen interest in drawing and painting so as a child I was exposed to art at an early age. He would draw and paint whenever he had a spare moment. When I completed my A levels I was torn between studying English at university or completing a Foundation art course. My father and my art teacher helped me to decide to follow the path of becoming an artist
What training did you have?
Foundation art & design – distinction
BA hons Drawing & Painting Edinburgh College of Art – first class
MA European fine art – Barcelona
What has been the high point of your career so far?
selected for New Contemporaries by Keith Tyson & Susan Hiller in
1999
Shortlisted for the John Moores painting prize in 2010
General Questions
What’s your favourite quote?
‘only nature could free a painter from the tyranny of history’ Paul Cezanne
Who is your favourite artist?
David Hockney (his latest Yorkshire landscapes really inspire me)
What are you aiming for?
To earn a living & to gain some recognition
How will you get there?
Show my work and aim to get selected for ‘big name’ prizes
Is anything holding you back?
Time!!
You and art
What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?
Feelings of joy and sometimes sadness. Before I embarked on painting I would produce a lot of installation work, this work often had a comedy element and made people laugh.
From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your
work?
It varies greatly depending on the piece but something like ‘Going Places’ or ‘Into the night’ took about 6 months.
What music do you like to listen to when you work?
I don’t always listen to music but if I do it is either classical or currently a band called XX
What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?
The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London in March
Being inspired by art
Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?
Frida Kahlo – She is such an inspirational artist, especially for women. She struggled against many things in her life but always managed to produce great art.
What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?
I like to reflect the changes that are happening in the modern landscape, things that are going on in our everyday lives.
What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?
‘Going Places’ This piece marked a turning point in my work. This was the painting that started getting my work noticed again
an artist’s advice
For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?
Give it a go, it is never too late. My dad took early retirement and went to art college at the age of 50 and now paints full time.
Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?
Buy artists newsletter it’s a great resource for opportunities and commissions. Don’t be afraid of approaching galleries yourself, sometimes it does work.
Thanks Jayne!
Visit Jayne’s website here: www.jaynestokes.com and feel free to make comments below!
