Artist Profile - Marji Jackman
Beginnings
As my father was with Sears, our large family with six kids moved to various cities and towns across Canada. Although we learned many things from our adventures, it was as a result of our family meetings that we learned to listen with compassion, to honour creativity in problem-solving, and to never take the status quo as an end result. I still live grounded in creative process as a way of life, and with avid curiosity, look forward to each new day, and every new possibility.
Art Education
It seems that I have always been learning and working on some form of artistic pursuit, whether it is in the area of music, writing or art. After taking courses in Fine Arts at the University of Windsor, I took Commercial Art at George Brown College, and have continued to learn through practical experience, as well as through wonderful courses at the McMichael Gallery, the Toronto School of Art, and the Neilson Centre for the Arts.
Textural Exploration
When I start a piece, I always start with acrylic, as I love the clarity of colour that acrylic paint offers, and the freedom of movement, working with paint and brush, as I try to mirror the music of everyday life. Sometimes it stays there, but often it leads me into oil, searching for textural expression. Here I work only with palette knives, and love how it brings a life-like energy to form and movement. I continue to be enveloped and energized by the never-ceasing magic of both mediums.
Artist Statement
Inspiration
As the sound of music reflects and permeates, it resonates from 'heart to heart'. I am convinced that art has the power to capture these sounds from the realm of the invisible. My search and particular journey into the abstract is based on an intuitive sense that we 'know more than', and at the same time, 'less than' what is possible. I believe that our journey of search brings us steps closer to hearing these tones that we could not hear before.
Vision
As a singer/songwriter, I have developed a deep respect for the colours of thought - this has impacted on how I 'see'. Within the process and creation of my paintings, I strive to develop this vision of 'tones' in paintings. I work in the mediums of acrylic and oil, capturing colour, light and sound - reflected in urban, cosmic and natural environments. My artistic approach also comes from a graphic sensibility, as I constantly try to express and encompass an integration of movement, pattern, line, form, colour and vibrancy. As I perceive 'meaning' embedded within the wonder of life's mysteries, my commitment to both musical and artistic learning takes me there. In fact, I paint while listening to music and often find that the colour and tone of my paintings differ as a result.
Motivation
My mentors are Van Gogh, Harris, Carr, Kandinsky and Klee. In the music world I more closely align with Karen Carpenter, Linda Ronstadt, and John Denver. All of these artists exemplify for me a closely-knit respect for resonance - a state of being 'in tune'. I believe that, in our collective journey, that everyone has a song to sing. And, just as one note on the piano is never better than the rest, my goal is to 'sing' that song, in tune with the 'wonder' of our universe that we live in. Whether it be for the great or the ordinary, my fondest hope is that my heart will continue to question, finding 'the good' wherever that may be.
Good News
STAY TUNED!
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