1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale?
Sarah Joncas: This was included in a show I had last year at the Dorland-Haight Gallery. Due to it being a two person show, I had no focus on a particular theme, but just created the works as I wished. I concentrated on refining my portraits a little more, enjoyed playing with lighting, which is what this painting was mainly about. I wanted to capture the form and figure better and it was a nice exercise to have the reflected light hitting her face. The original is no longer for sale, but I do have another piece Magdalena that is available here at 1xRUN.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Sarah Joncas: No theme was focused upon for the show, I used it as an opportunity to practice my portrait skill and experiment a little more with lighting. The piece was a chance for me to really enjoy the form and figure.
1xRun: When was this piece created and what materials were used?
Sarah Joncas: This piece was created in the summer of 2013 using oil on canvas. I probably spent a few months on her. I generally work on a lot of paintings at once though, so there’s a rotation I work through.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Sarah Joncas: Compared to my older work, the subject matter is not especially unique, but I had also created a study previous to it in order to plan out my lighting better. I almost never do studies, I’m too anxious to get painting.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Sarah Joncas: If you like the image, it’s a nice quality print at a great price!
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Sarah Joncas: Sensual.
1xRun: You’ve got a new show coming up, give us a little information on what people can expect? Is this exhibition an entirely new body of work?
Sarah Joncas: Every once in awhile I get on a film noir kick and this show explores that style more than anything I’ve done in the past. I also have a few more male figures included and a couple pieces with two figures, which, for anyone who knows my work, is a very rare thing. Yes, it is all completely brand new.
1xRun: How long have you been working on this show?
Sarah Joncas: I started back in the early fall of 2013. I will have around 20 pieces for it.
1xRun: What are some of the things you like about preparing for a solo show ?
Sarah Joncas: It’s the only time I really try to connect the works by a theme, so there’s a lot more conscious thought put into each piece. I try not to constrict myself with it though, I still enjoy playing around and letting current inspirations drive the work, but I’ll usually bring it around in the end and include some imagery or symbols that connect to the whole. It’s a more stressful process, but you tend to feel stronger about a body of work like that.
1xRun: Have you run into any issues with work for this show or has it come together fairly fluidly?
Sarah Joncas: I always have some hurdles with the work. Usually it’s because I don’t have a proper model/ref for a painting, so there’s some awkwardness in the figure I need to battle. Or compositionally, I’ll feel the need to add/subtract things along the way in order to balance it properly. I make sure to start my work far in advance however, so there’s good time to sit, judge and re-imagine paintings before they’re due.
1xRun: What else is on tap for you in 2014, any other big events on the docket?
Sarah Joncas: I have a bunch of group exhibits throughout the later half of the year, but will be starting another large body of work in the fall for an up-coming two person show at Thinkspace for the winter of 2015.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Sarah Joncas: Website – Blog – Facebook – Etsy – Tumblr – Instagram + Twitter @sarah_joncas
-1xRUN