1xRun Thru Interview
Genevieve by Sarah Joncas
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale?
Sarah Joncas: This painting was a commission I finished last year for a client who simply specified he wanted a pin up with tattoos. He gave me a good amount of freedom with the look and coming together of the image, even asking me not to show him progress on the piece until it was done. Overall I had a lot of fun with the painting! I decided to go with a more water/sea theme to the girl, mainly because it’s an interest of mine. I don’t have a lot of original work for sale from my studio (they’re mostly at galleries), though I do have one painting. A work titled ‘Skin Deep’ which I made for my solo show ‘Taking Over’ from 2012 and that is available here at 1xRUN.
1xRUN: When was this piece created and with what materials?
Sarah Joncas: This piece was created in the spring of 2013 with oil on canvas.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Sarah Joncas: I spent a few months on her.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Sarah Joncas: Though I’ve done many pin up works in the past, I haven’t painted many tattooed girls. The tessellated Japanese wave is also something fun and new for me, it was a good challenge.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Sarah Joncas: As I say in all of these interviews, I don’t tell people what to buy, but if you like the image it’s a very nice quality print!
1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Sarah Joncas: Sexy.
1xRun: This past year alone you painted dozens of beautiful female figures, tell us a bit about your process of drawing these women, do you work from reference material or are these all created from scratch?
Sarah Joncas: Most of the time I work from my head in the drawing phase, getting the idea and composition out. In the painting phase I may look up ref material to help me with anatomy or peculiar lighting, but I try my best not to crutch on them too much.
1xRun: Do you work with models ?
Sarah Joncas: No, I don’t use models. I’d probably benefit from it, but I’m a pretty shy and I am uncomfortable with the idea of hiring people, or having people in my studio/home… Then having to direct, position, light them.. Just thinking about it makes me nervous, haha.
1xRun: You’re obviously not the first painter to find these female muses, however, what is it about the female form for you that makes it so fun to draw and paint?
Sarah Joncas: I’m not sure what it is, there is certainly a large number of female painters who enjoy painting females though. I guess on some level there’s a kind of identity in it, wanting to express feelings and ideas your familiar with, though there’s an enjoyment and liberation in the sexuality of it, too. You could always speculate how that might tie into our culture and society as well…the female nude is a far more common sight than the male.
1xRun: What is your favorite aspect of each of the mediums that you work in and why?
Sarah Joncas: Aside from my drawings, my work is done almost exclusively in oil. However, I do enjoy a quick and fun acrylic piece here and there. I enjoy the layering in oil, seeing things come together slowly. It’s a meditative process, despite any frustrations along the way. I’ve been introducing more black and white work just this past year. I did up one to test out some water soluble oils I had bought, and just really loved the look. Kind of classic and bold. Really get down to composition of values.
=1xRun: Bring us up to speed on how you wrapped up 2014, how did your year end?
Sarah Joncas: 2013 was a great year. I feel a little more mature and happy in my life. Spent the holidays with loved ones, so there’s no better way! Always excited when the holidays end and I get back to work though, haha.
1xRun: What is on tap for you in 2014, any big shows or events coming up?
Sarah Joncas: A few up coming group shows, but I’m mainly working towards my solo in May at the Subext Gallery in San Diego. Have around 20 new works for that!
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Sarah Joncas: Website – Blog – Facebook – Etsy – Tumblr – Instagram + Twitter @sarah_joncas
-1xRUN