Abstract Landscapes of the English Countryside by Jasmine Rae
My next interview is with Jasmine Rae, an English painter and art educator. Jasmine is known for her abstract landscapes inspired by her time outdoors in the countryside of Cambridgeshire. Composed of winding pathways, overlapping shapes, vibrant colors and subtle drips, her paintings reference open fields and vast expanses of land - taking the viewer's eye on a journey around the canvas. In this interview, Jasmine discusses her creative process and approach to painting, as well as shares future goals and aspirations as an artist.
Hi Jasmine! Tell me about your background and where your creative journey began.
I graduated from Loughborough University with a Fine Art Degree in 2016, this is where I fell in love with the landscape and took it as inspiration within my work. After graduating, I continued to create art but I struggled without the studio environment and being surrounded by other artists was a big miss. I worked at an Art Gallery for a time and took great inspiration from exhibiting artists and I tried to learn as much as I could during this period; from packaging work, framing, marketing, hanging and curating. This led me to join a collaborative non-profit gallery with other artists, which pushed me to start exhibiting and selling. Most recently, I have taken the plunge into teaching and love being an art teacher in a secondary school inspiring young people and alongside this my own art has become a greater passion than it ever was before. I think my journey has always stemmed from other creatives, especially within education and having amazing teachers. I have always aspired to do the same for others but I have realised it is my students who inspire me.
How have your paintings evolved over time?
It did all start at University at my degree show. I would strip back the landscape and look at only shapes, not colour. It was the lines that took my eye through the landscape and composition of space that inspired me. I think that over time I have now considered and understood this drive and have added colour to accompany the journey the eye takes around the landscape.
Where do you find inspiration for your paintings, and how do your surroundings influence the work you create?
Inspiration for my paintings has always been rooted to the feeling when you are stood in an expansive landscape and as you look into the distance all you see is the land pushed back until it hits the sky. My surroundings influence the work and this has been through my walks and bike rides - I take in the surrounding countryside where I live in Cambridgeshire. I often take the feeling I had on those walks and go straight to the studio to work but often colour palettes are inspired by my mood and even magazine clippings, graphics, room sets/decor as well as nature.
Can you tell me about your process and technique?
The start of my paintings always begin with note taking and drawing in my sketchbook. After a walk or light bulb moment in the studio, I write down words and feelings I want for the painting or collection and paint rough colour ideas. Once ideas are planted and painting begins, I use large brushes for quick washes of colour, until slowly a landscape reveals itself, I will push and pull the paint and layer until I am happy. I work with acrylic paint, gouache, inks, watercolour pencils and water-soluble wax crayons. This combination allows me to layer colours and pathways until I get the feeling I did from my walk/location/inspiration. As mentioned, I start with larger brushes and work my way down to smaller brushes for the details. Sometimes I can work on my paintings until they’re nearly complete but if the ‘feeling’ isn’t there, I will take them back by painting over some areas with a large brush and starting the process again.
Which artists have influenced your work?
David Hockney, Mark Rothko, Howard Hodgkin, Gerhard Richter. Artists through Instagram: Alice Sheridan, Louise Fletcher, Maryanne Hawes, Lucy Davies, Josh Jenson, Melanie Cormack - to name some!
When did you join Instagram, and how has it impacted you as an artist?
I joined instagram in 2015 and have been slowly growing my journey on there. At first I was obsessed with numbers and it would get me down if I didn’t achieve what I thought I should with likes and follows. I took a break for a year or so and have come back to it with the intention that it is a document for me to use and look back through and connect with other artists. Now I have taken a more relaxed approach, the support has been amazing, just connecting with other creative people has given me the feeling I had at university. It really is its own community, I’ve learnt to not worry about engagement and if I am enjoying what I am doing, others will too.
What are your future goals and aspirations for your art career?
Currently, I am building on my new style that I have adapted as of 2020. I would like to build a collection for a future exhibition, maybe next year? this might entail working hard over summer to get the work done but this excites me. This is as far ahead as I’m thinking, especially with the current situation but I am so thankful to have this creative outlet during this time.
Follow Jasmine on Instagram at: jasmineraeart