Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Carlock.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always gripped some sort of artistic weapon in hand ever since I was born in the dead of winter quite some time ago. I remember teaching one of my fellow pre-school colleagues how to draw a heart shape, only to find that she could not grasp the “point” that it must have on the bottom, turning her “hearts” into little butt shapes. That was one of the first moments of my life that I realized I had bit more of “something” than the others I was surrounded by did when it came to arts & crafts. Both of my parents worked, so I spent a great deal of time at a close-friend of the family’s house who was the epitome of creativity. She made every day memorable for me to this day, whether it was making crafts or visiting local gardens, and just making it clear to me that you can make art no matter where you are, or how old you are. Throughout my academic career I loved to color anything strictly rainbow no matter the project, no matter how small. Every color must be included. I still have this compulsive way of thinking in the way I paint. High school came and went, with perhaps a few sprinkles of soft vandalism here and there to spice it up. I would spend most of my days in there with this large wooden board that I carried from class to class with whatever commissioned charcoal drawing I was currently working on attached to it. I soon graduated and started college at Massachusetts College of Art & Design, first majoring in Illustration. As much as I enjoyed the technicality of the major, the structure was limiting and did not work for me- so I did the deed of switching into the Painting Department. This was one of the best decisions I had ever made for myself. If the motivation is there, this is always a great switch.
Please tell us about your art.
I’ve always been the type of person to go off the beaten path when it comes to how I dress, or how art is “supposed to be.” For as long as I can remember I have gone k-12 with unmatching colored socks paired with the most hectic of power-clashing fabrics. There are going to be those people that (for some reason) are personally violated my my own personal choices, but on the other hand there are people that feel the opposite way. I feel that self-expression requires restraining from holding anything back and bending the rules when necessary. It is fueled by most importantly, doing whatever makes YOU happy. Although I may be relatively laid back in conversation, I love being obnoxious in every visual way humanly possible for my own personal fulfillment. I just wish that with this forwardness that I try to keep pushing out into the world, others also see that it is so possible to be unapologetically who you are. I began painting this way not too long ago, during my time at the Massart. I began to finally explore myself and what I truly felt was beautiful. I have slight synesthesia when I hear higher tones of music, which results in pale pink and yellow hues to sometimes leak into my vision. My paintings are very much based off of this quality, which is the reasoning behind gradients being in almost every single one. There has been this ongoing infatuation with line work that comes from nature and light. I began making sketches based off of how light reflected off of a tiny piece of plastic from a lone butter packet for a bagel I was eating in the middle of the financial district- (if that’s not the bottom of that barrel, I don’t know what is!) But in this case, that was exactly where I needed to be for the true inspiration to flourish. I also take inspiration from shapes of wood-grain, mushroom gills, all of that weird stuff. Once I’m satisfied with my composition, the color kind of spills into it pretty organically. As for the surface I paint on…. there are no limits. I enjoy spreading color around as much as I can in this bleak world. Aside from canvas, I’ve painted my car, shoes, clothing, surfboards, musical instruments, and I also paint griptape for any skaters out there who would be interested in pulling up to the spot with some flavor.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
A successful artist is anybody who has created something that makes them feel whole, or even remotely excited about having created it. Obviously there is the financial aspect- but anybody with the passion figures it out. Whether it is “on the side” or full time, or whatever- it will work out. Every artist is different. No matter the goal, the desire to create and the drive to keep it going is essential to make it a lifelong love affair. Art exists to help us exist!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have an upcoming solo exhibition/pop-up event in Asbury Park, New Jersey on September 7th. It has been put together by SP Projects from New York City as a part of their “SP Projects Cosmic Beach House” event series. The address and more information is available on any of my social platforms, such as these two listed below! Please come by for a fruity groovy time.
I try my best to keep my Instagram updated on works in progress, interesting events, very good outfits, probably too many breakfast photos, and of course, some of my everyday life! It’s all art.
Website: www.jilliancarlock.com
Follow me on instagram: @jill_carlock
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jilliancarlock.com
- Email: carlockjillian@gmail.com
- Instagram: jill_carlock
Image Credit:
Personal photo taken by Rob Sellig
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