The Artist
As a child growing up, I was surrounded by art. Paintings, statues, photographs, books and textiles were woven into our living space. Nothing was pretentious or untouchable to me as a child, and I enjoyed the cultural references to our mixed family heritage. I learned classical piano and my family exposed me to museums, cultural events and travel. However that is the conventional view of art. In my experience, art is many things. It is the way we share ideas, create with our hands, experience the world, study nature, prepare a meal, and so forth.
From an early age, I was drawn to this view of art. Attending a Montessori school, I was fascinated with the school garden when I was just three years old. I have vivid memories of pulling a radish from the earth, of the vibrant colour peeking behind dirt for the first time, and of the taste of fresh peas snapped from the stem that my hands helped sow. I enjoyed the freedom within constraints to create and learn at my own pace in the Montessori classroom, with materials that were natural and minimal. And perhaps the first time I picked up a paintbrush was in Montessori at the easel, documenting something in nature.
I became a problem solver as a child. Using my hands, I would sew the clothes I wanted for my dolls, or the materials I needed for my pretend play. With this notion of independence and ability, I quickly realised that I could materialise my ideas, and this ability has been a lifelong gift. These early experiences led me to appreciate and honour this interest I had in viewing the world through an artistic lens. The beauty and artistry of nature, and of the human body and mind, paved the way for me to study and receive my degrees in the science field, in both Biology and Psychology. And only now, years into my fine art journey, do I realise how these connect. The way the human body works, moves, thinks and loves, is art.
The Inspiration
I’m inspired by so many things — passion, music, culture and history. My beautiful mixed heritage, my mom is American and my father Indian. Traveling to our ancestral home in India, named Rajo Villa, where five generations of my family have lived, inspires me to document both the people and memories from this land through art. The way people live, love and connect. Nature, my children, emotions and memories. Independent thought, integrity and the human spirit. These are all just a few of the many.
The Process
I spend a lot of time listening to music, exploring books and viewing art films. I read my personal journals from travels to India, many from my childhood, and leaf through our family photographs. I draw reference from these exercises, and attempt to translate this thought, emotion or memory into my brush while creating. I am fortunate that at this stage in my life, my children — ages 17, 15 and 9 — are a bit older and I can find quiet refuge in my studio. This was not always easy when working from home, while my boys were little.
In my studio, I listen to music and have been particularly drawn to Indian folk music recently. I have eclectic taste, so my music selection changes with my mood or the season. I surround myself with some of my favourite material objects, which serve as a reminder of the love and life experiences that encompass me. And then I get to work. Many of my paintings are free flow ideas that go quickly from sketches to a full piece. In the end of the exploration, I find my work to be very personal and an extension of myself, not necessarily a reflection of the outside world.
To The Viewer
My design aesthetic has been described as nostalgic, feminine, soulful and calming, yet full of emotion. I think I am drawn to these feelings and I see them as transcending time and place. Being emotional and passionate are strengths, and I learn a lot about myself and my relationship with the world through these qualities. I am drawn to an earthen palette and a soft, minimal, fluid stroke. I love the beauty in the everyday, and I believe that our most formative experiences are within these moments.
My most important audience is my legacy, my children. As a mother to three boys, I want them to see the beauty and strength in femininity. I want them to view their experiences as one small part of a bigger world, but influential in the ability to share and learn from others. I want them to explore their heritage. And I want them, as young men, to be open to their emotions, and see the vitality of being vulnerable and soft. As for everyone else, well that is the beauty of individual thought.
The Challenges
One challenge for me as an artist, in a world full of creative people and an online platform where everyone shares, is to quiet the noise. I constantly remind myself to stay true to my authentic view and my unique experiences. This is worthwhile, and it is enough to just be yourself.
The Pandemic and Beyond
I must acknowledge that I am speaking from a privileged standpoint, since my work and life situation have not been affected to the same extent as many in the world by this pandemic. I spent the early weeks watching the natural world around me flourish, grow and expand through the changing of the seasons. For me personally, it has been a slow, intentional time, yet emotional. The thought of not being able to hug loved ones for months or spend large amounts of time together without fear for those in a vulnerable health situation, is quite depressing. It has made us get creative as a family. We plan outdoor picnics, and have spent time together perfecting recipes and dropping them at our loved ones’ doorsteps.
I’ve been writing letters and have strengthened my friendships by daily chats through FaceTime and WhatsApp. I would be lying though if I said I didn’t miss the actual physical presence of these relationships. And of course without a busy schedule, I have painted more than ever. So the ever present question is, if we have this gift of time, what can we make of it? I am working on two new collections of work, set to be released in the late fall. Without travel as an option and with my yearly trip to India being postponed, I am challenging myself to increase my practice, study more, sketch more, and learn Hindi.
Joya Mukerjee Logue