We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jane Jaskevich. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jane below.
Hi Jane, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
The creation of Art completes my identify. The physical creation of my sculpture gives me purpose outside of myself. The arts have always called my name. I was the one in the 3rd grade that always got chosen to do the class art projects. It was a given that I would get a degree in art. I don’t think I necessarily found my purpose but that I was born with it. Perhaps the reason I was able to be successful was because I never questioned it or put the heavy burden on my shoulders that I had to be famous. I just knew it was the direction I would go. I would play it out and see where it took me.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a sculptor from Asheville. I am presently investigating a figurative series of sculptures. I have evolved over the years through different approaches to the female form. With this series I sculpt an elongated figure created by combining cypress with various stones. The emotional effect comes from the gesture of each piece. Some are elegant. Some proud. Some powerful. Some ethereal. It is interesting by slightly changing a tilt of the head or a choice of a stone that a different energy can be created with each one. The realistic details of the figure are not important to me. I like experimenting with different finishes on the wood.. I use stains, paint and gold/silver and copper leaf with different pieces. The choice of stone dictates the approach to the wood. It is a process that evolves as I create. There is not much planning. I trust my creative self. Not questioning my direction as an artist but being open the the journey is what to me is important as an artist.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
An artist has to have basic knowledge of the materials and how to use them before they can be comfortable to create. I learned some things through college. Some things through fellow artists, workshops and looking at other artists works online. I still learn and push myself to explore through these outlets.
The second thing that is necessary is to just do the work. I have taught art for years and seen students struggle with starting an art piece. If you push yourself at the start of your art career to just work every day regardless of if the outcome is successful then that door to creativity will swing open more easily. At some point you will not have issues finding an idea but editing which idea you want to work on.
The third important quality is to not judge yourself so harshly. I love the act of creation. I go with the flow of ideas with each piece. There is critical thinking that takes place but I do not judge if something is good or bad. Sometimes if I do not feel a strong direction, I simply wait til the next day and it resolves itself. Yesterday I started carving a head for a figure. It was not clicking so I tried a second then a third. The last one was perfect. The point is to not give up but just keep working. I only work on one piece at a time though so to keep a continuity of ideas. Many times the one I am not as crazy about is the first one to be sold.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I realized at an early age that making a living as a visual artist is difficult. I remember going to graduate school with a very talented sculptor who took a job doing windows for a big department store after graduate school. She never had time to create her own art. I decided that I wanted to teach art on the college level since you have more time to create and it is a supportive environment. As a college instructor you are required to have a new body of work for the faculty exhibit each year. I taught several subjects so I felt obligated to create work in photography as well as sculpture. I think working in different medias was helpful for my growth as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jaskevich.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaskevich_sculptor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jane.jaskevich
Image Credits
sculpture photos by Jane Jaskevich
portrait photos by Lauren Rutten
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
