Danielle Krysa, AKA The Jealous Curator!
This interview is with Danielle Krysa, also known as The Jealous Curator. In 2009 Danielle created an Instagram account and art blog that features a wide range of work by contemporary artists. The Jealous Curator has since garnered an enormous following on social media, with over 200K followers on Instagram. In this interview, Danielle discusses what led her to launch this project, and shares her own journey as an artist and creative leader.
Hi Danielle! Tell me about your background and how you initially became involved in the arts.
My mom is an artist so I’ve been making art since I was a baby. Literally. I ended up going to art school - which was a terrible experience - took a 15 year hiatus, and then got back into the art world when I started The Jealous Curator in 2009.
Your artwork blends collage elements with colorful strokes of paint, texture, and oftentimes tongue-in-cheek captions. What inspires the work you create today and how has your work shifted and evolved over time?
In art school, I was told to remove the humor I was putting into my work - I “wouldn’t be taken seriously” if I made funny art. It took a long time, but I finally tossed that out the window and embraced my personality and infused it into my mixed media work. I am totally inspired by images I find in old books, and lately I’m a bit obsessed with working costume jewelry into everything I do!
Can you tell me a bit about your process and technique?
I always start with a big fat juicy paint stroke and then go from there. I let the narrative build from there, instead of having a plan going in. It rarely works when I have a tight plan… so much better to just go with the flow!
In addition to being an artist, you also founded The Jealous Curator; a blog and Instagram account that showcases a wide range of contemporary art. What led you to launch this project and how has it grown over the years?
I started my blog because I was in fact jealous of everyone who was living a creative life. I wanted that so badly, but after art school and my self-imposed hiatus, I was lost. I started TJC because that jealousy was toxic, but when I said it out loud - in a positive way - I was able to turn it into admiration. It’s been 11 years now, and I haven’t looked back.
Your podcast, Art For Your Ear, continues to explore the contemporary art world through a series of interviews with artists. How has your podcast impacted you as both an artist and a creative person?
It’s been a life-changer for me as an artist. I’ve recorded just over 170 episodes, and hearing the stories of so many artists inspires me to keep pushing my artwork forward too!
Follow Danielle on Instagram at: thejealouscurator
Website: linktr.ee/thejealouscurator