Today we’d like to introduce you to JL “Janet” Schwartz.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was lucky enough to have a mother who was interested in the arts. She started by enrolling me in an art class at the Tampa Museum of Art when I was five. I have been totally infatuated with art ever since and continued to develop my skills, both in the classroom and on my own, throughout grade school, high school and college. Although I received a Batchelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of South Florida, many of my electives were in the arts; hence I received a BA rather than a BS.
I got married just two weeks after graduating a year early from college, and my career in computers kicked off shortly thereafter. When my professional career went into high gear, I had much less time to devote to my artistic passion. During my career in Information Technology, I felt the most joy when I could use the creative side of my brain to solve problems for my company and customers. Now having retired from a long and successful career I am once again in my happy place being able to use my brain and skills full time to create art. Throughout my life art has been an outlet for all my emotions, whether I was happy, angry, sad, frustrated, in love or any other emotional crisis. Art is cathartic for me, and my goal as an artist is to convey and invoke emotion in those that view my art. Currently, I have been focusing on non-objective / abstract art and am enjoying the freedom and challenges this type of art is able to provide me. I got started in abstract painting with a class at the Boca Raton Museum of Art School. It was initially a bit of a struggle to transition to this art form; however, the instructor, Eydi Lampasona, was a perfect match for me. She was able to help me loosen up and paint larger, and I will be forever thankful to her.
In order to hone my craft further and begin to gain recognition, I joined a number of local art groups, was accepted into art exhibits sponsored by these groups and was also accepted as a Signature Artist for the Boca Ration Museum of Art Guild and as a Juried Artist for WITVA. I continue to take abstract classes and recently collage classes in order to develop the skills to expand into mixed media. My obsession and desire to continually improve and reach a wider audience grows with each passing day. I have been lucky to have good friends, instructors, and neighbors who help by providing wonderful critiques, technical instruction and introducing me to people in the art community.
Please tell us about your art.
I create abstracts on wood panels, canvas, and paper using acrylic paint, mediums, gels, and glazes. Mediums and gels provide the texture and multiple layers of paint expand the depth and mystery enabling the viewer an opportunity to explore the many facets within the artwork. Wood panels provide a smoother surface that makes scraping to reveal underlying layers easier to achieve and control. Use of soft gels and glazes on either surface enables me to reveal the layers and achieve blended colors that increase depth to the artwork. One of my first abstracts is titled “Strength in Passion” and truly describes the benefit and feeling I derive from and put into the artistic process.
Just as a mystery writer or poet slowly reveals the plot or underlying meaning, I strive for my paintings to do the same. My goal is to draw the audience into a world that envelops them and ultimately stimulates thought and feeling. In order to achieve that goal, I use nature and all that it encompasses as my inspiration. Exploration of the shapes, composition, color, as it appears in the world around us, and the emotions that are generated are exciting to me and something I strive to convey to the audience. Even in the smallest details, such as a close-up view of the bark on a tree, insect or animal or the wider panorama of a forest, water or sky can provide new insights and a sense of awe. As with the many layers that can be identified in natural objects my work is comprised of different layers and techniques in order to develop art that people want to continually explore.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Success is defined as the attainment of a favorable or desired outcome. My desired outcome is to stimulate the senses and emotions to the point the viewer wants to continually revisit the artwork and delve further to find new aspects in the piece and explore their connection to it. Ultimately, it is always the highest compliment when someone enjoys your art enough to purchase it in order to continue the exploration beyond a few minutes at an exhibit or gallery.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have been exhibiting at shows sponsored by the Boca Raton Museum of Art Guild, Broward Art Guild, Women in the Visual Arts (WITVA) and Artserve. I also have a website and use social media to post my artwork and announcements of upcoming exhibits. A few ways that people can support my work are; purchase my art, like my posts, follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook, spread the word to others and provide opportunities to expand into other venues.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jlschwartzart.com
- Phone: (954) 804-6474
- Email: jlschwartzart@att.net
- Instagram: @jlschwartzart
- Facebook: JlSchwartzArt
- Twitter: @jlschwartzart
Image Credit:
JL “Janet” Schwartz
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