Artist Interview Duane Kirby Jensen
What is your name: Duane Kirby Jensen
Do you have a formal art education or are you a self taught artist: I am self taught, with the exception of a few high school art classes. I do come from a family of artists so painting for me is like breathing.
What is the style of your pieces: My work is narrative in nature. With each painting I am trying to evoke a whole story, even through the viewer is only seeing one moment in time.
What is the medium in which you work: My preference is ink and brush, although I do work in acrylic quite often.
What started you on your path as an artist: I have been painting since I was a toddler. Over the years I have explored many creative outlets, but it has always been painting that has brought me the greatest sense of fulfillment.
What is one of the most important things that art has brought to your life: It has allowed me to give birth to the visions I have in my head. If I had no outlet, things could get wild and crazy in there. So maybe the best answer is peace of mind.
What is your favorite genre of art besides the one you work in: I have always loved the surrealists, although my favorite artist is Edward Hopper.
Do you have art showings, and if so what are they typically like: I have had paintings in exhibits, low key affairs filled with conversation. I like the ideas of exhibits, but showing my work has been secondary to the act of creating. Plus, I like how people are finding my work on the internet. The internet is leveling the playing field for artists, so that we are not held hostage by galleries.
Do you have a certain set of clothes you make art in: I have three shirts I paint in. I have a habit of cleaning and dabbing paintbrushes on my shirt as I paint. I also prefer to where shorts and paint in my bare feet.
What has been the most frustrating part of being an artist: The lack of time. Even if I could paint 24 hours a day, I still would not have enough time to painting all the ideas I have. If I never have another new idea, I have enough to last me till I am 100.
What is your favorite sandwich of all time: I could give you a long list of gourmet sandwiches I make, but I will go with the most basic. On a hot summer day I love a lettuce sandwich. White bread, lots of real mayo and a inch and a half slice of iceberg lettuce. People think I am nuts but it is refreshing.
Has this year brought about any changes in your work, and if so what are they: I wouldn’t say a change, more of a shift. I have begun doing more paintings on claybord and gessobord and a little less on watercolor paper (for ink) and canvas (for acrylics). The content and style of my work is the same, or, if different, it is proceeding in a natural evolution from what I have previously done.
Who is your favorite artist alive or dead: Edward Hopper.
What is the most moving piece of artwork that you have seen in person: That is tough. There are works of Gorky and Pollock at the Seattle Art Museum that I always spend time with. I have seen Hopper’s work many times and each pieces talks to me. Two paintings from Scenes of American Life (a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonion American Art Museum) still linger in my mind: ‘Annunciation’ by Raphael Soyer and ‘Dodges Ridge’ by Andrew Wyeth.
Do you have any animals, and what do they think of your work: I don’t have any critters. I tend to stay away from domestic animals. I prefer to see them in their natural habitat. If I did have critters I am sure they would scratch their head and say, "What a crazy human. He should be giving us all of his attention."
Do you have any up coming exhibitions you would like to share with us: I will have a few paintings in Art of the Written Word in July (Lowell Art Center, Everett, WA). I am hopeful that a painting or three will be chosen for ‘Waterworks’ A national juried watermedia art exhibit in Chico, Ca. this August.
Web address: www:myspace.com/duanekirbyjensen
(Title: See painting below)
The Yearning and Anticipation of Fresh Passion that Sweeps Through the Body, the Way Wind Rustles Through Tall-Golden Wheat Beneath an August Sun. © 2009 by Duane Kirby Jensen, 6 x 12 Ink and Acrylic on Cradled Panel
If you are an artist or Gallery and would like to be interviewed email me at sivy221@aol.com
