Artist Interview: Jessica Carmen
Over the next few weeks, we will start introducing the artists participating in the inaugural we. art gathering! It’s always nice to hear a bit more of the artist’s background, their process when it comes to creating and how they’ve evolved over time. In that spirit, we will be posting interviews we conducted with each of the artists so you can become a bit more familiar with them. Super excited to have Monterey-based Jessica Carmen in the mix, scroll down to learn more about Jessica and her style!
Where are you from originally?
JC - I was born and raised between Santa Cruz's endless beaches and Watsonville's aromatic strawberry fields. Since then I've lived and worked up and down the Central Coast.
How did you first get into art?
JC - I can't recall the exact moment, person or inspiration. I feel like it was a combination of things. My neighbor growing up painted amazing portraits of his loved ones. He had been in a fire when he was younger and even with those injuries, he was able to produce art, which was inspiring on many levels. I also grew up in a cul de sac that housed avid graffiti artists. I would walk through the creek at the end of our street and be in awe of the typography and artistry they could produce with spray paint in the middle of the night. I also had three older brothers that would doodle calligraphy absentmindedly and had art journals. I wanted so badly to be like them so I'd mimic what they doodled. Other than that, I was always really inspired by Chicano muralists in general and Los Tres Grandes from Mexico. Murals to me have always been my favorite form of art. They're for everyone to enjoy, are larger than life, and can convey a variety of meanings and evoke a myriad of emotions.
What is your favorite medium?
JC - One a small scale, I really enjoy pen drawings. I guess it stems from another inspiration source, "prison style" art which evolved into the black and grey tattoo style we see today. Being able to render an idea with a simple BIC pen through shading was fascinating to me as a kid. I still prefer it but I've tried to expand my style since then. I also like messing with watercolors, acrylics and spray paint. Anything messy! I don't like to stick to one medium anymore because I want to be able to explore my art and certain mediums lend themselves better than others for certain ideas.
What inspires you?
JC - A lot of things inspire me. Mostly it's the experiences with culture I grew up with. Being Chicano/a, there's so much that is immediately recognizable in the culture to us all but my relationship with it is different than anyone else's. So I like to play with words, images and experiences that may be universal but turn it on it's head and give it a new perspective. A modern perspective. My partner and I have dubbed it "Neo-Chicano Art." Additionally, music is very inspiring. It's why my partner and I call ourselves, The Jams, collectively. Whether it's all the music we grew up listening to with our families to our own taste nowadays, certain lyrics and songs stick out to us and an idea sprouts.
Why do you do what you do?
JC - It's really simple: To tell stories that often go untold. For murals specifically, it's to honor public art in the best way. By bringing meaningful and stimulating imagery to people who may not ever set foot in a museum. Art should be for all to enjoy.
What is your creative process approaching new projects?
JC - There is no real method for my madness. Sometimes I don't feel like I should call myself an artist so I procrastinate. And other times, I'm so inspired or invigorated by an idea that I can go from the idea to a completed work of art in a day. If it's a mural I'm creating for a community, I tend to look at who the community is. Their history, location, the people that make it whole. Because it's my gift to them so I want them to feel like it's representative of them and the area. But creative freedom is always the best thing for any artist. To not have any limitations allows us to create something that has never been done before.
How has your style evolved over the years?
JC - It's still evolving. But over the years, I've picked up a few tips and tricks so I feel more confident in getting my ideas from my mind to a tangible piece of art, whatever the medium. Mostly, the evolution has taken place by playing around with other mediums. Not being scared to do something that I maybe won't like in the end and will have to find another way to do it. Imagery wise, like I said previously, I've gone from simple line and line shading drawings to playing with more color. My partner has a way with colors so I've picked up how to utilize it more from him. It's odd because my world and culture is filled with color but I always preferred the harsh lines of black pen. Adding color to those designs now brings them to life in a way that balances the harsh realities with a bit of sabor de cultura (flavor of the culture).
What is your lifestyle outside of art?
JC - Art has always been in the background for me but I've been working ever since I was 14 years old. A majority of my life has been spent working hard but having fun whenever and however possible with my friends, family and especially my partner and love, Augie. Recently, I went back to school; I'm two semesters away from a degree in World History and Psychology. Which seems pretty far off from a life as an artist, but I found that knowing where people come from and what makes them tick helps my art. My capstone is actually writing the history of Chicano Muralismo and its importance in the creation and maintenance of identity within the Central Coast. So I always tend to tie back what I'm doing to art. I'm also an avid Arts Education advocate. I work for the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County assisting with their art ed programming and it's honestly the best job I've ever had! I get to see how kids are allowed to use art as a way to become more socially and emotionally conscious while exploring different mediums. It's really rewarding. I have always felt like everything I've done has sort of led me to where I am today and it's all been worth it because all of my experiences lend themselves to educate me on another.
If you could travel anywhere to create art, where would it be?
JC - Japan or Mexico. Japan because they have a "Chicano" scene! It would be amazing to paint a Chicano mural in Japan. It's amazing to me that something that started out as a way for first generation Mexican-Americans to find their own identity being stuck between their past and present cultures has spread to another country. I don't see it so much as appropriation, but appreciation. They know the history and respect it. They are simply enjoying the counterculture that was created. And as for Mexico, I've always wanted to paint a mural in Mexico City. When we were there recently, it was just to see all of the amazing murals that littered every street. To be part of that landscape would be surreal.
Do you listen to music while you're creating? If so, what are some of your current tunes?
JC - Yes, but it honestly changes constantly depending on my mood. Music is my mood ring! Recently though, my playlist consists of female rappers for energy, soulful R&B to relax and rancheras when I feel like singing.
What role do you think artists have in society?
JC - I think that depends greatly on the artist. Each artist has a different motivation, style or medium and personality. So how they see their own roles can differ. Overall, I think artists should be providing a vehicle to uplift and provoke thought in a society, but to also provide a sense of pride and community with their art. Bonus points if it's beautiful or cheeky on top of that!
What has been a seminal experience in your art career thus far?
JC - Assisting my partner in the creation of the Sabor Mural in Watsonville, CA. It was a labor of love and allowed me to be better prepared for other large scale mural opportunities that arose.
Who are some of your favorite artists to date?
JC - There's so many to name. But a short list would include AugieWK, El Mac, Miss Van, Emilia Cruz, Tara McPherson, Mike Giant, Aswer Garcia, Dabs & Myla, Os Gemeos, Kavilsa, Crystal Galindo and Alex Garant. Basically a mix of line drawings, bold and interesting use of colors, and the female form tend to catch my eye.
What helps you get "unstuck" creatively?
JC - Ignoring art for a bit. Then I miss it so I feel like I need to draw something. Or more often, my partner will remind me of an unfinished project and I'll begrudgingly start to work on it and then get lost in it. So, as much as I dislike being told what to do, I like when he does it. And he's the only one that can do it because I'm so fiercely independent.
Who are your biggest influences?
JC - It may seem cheesy to some, but my partner, AugieWK. To see his passion for his art and how he can pull shapes and colors from the ether into a tangible piece of art as easily as breathing is really inspiring to me. Other than him, it's Los Tres Grandes for their bold, political and unique art styles and Los Four for their contributions to the Chicano Muralismo Movement in the 60's. I joke how AugieWK and I will be Los Two and focus on our neo-chicanismo mural style.
Coffee or tea?
JC - Oolong tea. With a dash of sugar.
Surf or snow?
JC - Surf, I'm a California girl for life.
Favorite movie?
JC - Ponyo and Mi Familia. One for the animation, the other for the culture.