Interview with Beryl Jazvic — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the arts? and your first experience in art-making?

I was born on an Island in the Bahamas, there is where I spent my entire childhood and some of my adult life. I now reside in the United States of America, with my family. I graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1991. I later completed my Master's in Teaching at Saint Mary University, Kansas. After graduating, I found work in several art positions, to include Graphic Designer, Backdrop Artist, Portrait Painter, Muralist, Freelance Artist, and an Art Teacher. I often paint with acrylics in winter and oils in summer. My work has been shown in group shows, magazines, and several art competitions and contests.

One of my earlier experiences in making art was one of the most rewarding and comfortable things I’ve ever experienced. It was like I had entered a different universe that only included me, the canvas and my paint and paint brushes.

How would you describe yourself and your artwork?

My artworks are a series of paintings of people. I often focus on the eyes to help emphasize the emotions and to enhance communications between the viewer and the piece. Each painting has its own story to tell, and the faces, the texture, the emotions, and the artist helps to tell that story. I enjoy painting in the expressionist style but with the ultimate control of the brush strokes and surface texture.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Most of my inspiration comes from my family and friends because they are often the topics in my paintings.

What emotions do you hope the viewers experience when looking at your art?

When viewing my work, I want my viewers to experience the emotional thoughts of the person/s in my paintings are experiencing. I want them to be able to imagine everything possible about the piece; the place, the time of day, and why the artist(myself) might have chosen this image. I want my viewer to enjoy and to appreciate the piece by absorbing all the richness of the colors, the texture and any other elements involved.

When do you know that an artwork is finished?

I know my work is finish when I am ready to start another piece and I am content enough to put my signature to it. How do I know this, I know this because I enjoy painting in stages, so I am very aware when I’m narrowing down towards the finish line.

What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?

The most excited and rewarding moments this far in my career, is being able to paint every day and to share my knowledge with my students.

How long does it take to produce one work?

To produce one artwork depending on size and number of imageries in a piece, can take anywhere from two to six weeks.

What exciting projects are you working on right now? Can you share some of the future plans for your artworks?

I am trying something new, rather than working on a smooth surface, I am working on a slightly raw canvas space. I am very interested in using canvas from a different aspect. I want to challenge my ability to control how the paint is absorbed. I am very excited about the current piece I am working on now because it reminds me of Leonardo DaVinci’s Mona Lisa and one of my longtime favorite painters Caravaggio.