Jodi Hays: The Magic of Reclaimed Materials
Focusing on the painting process, artist Jodi Hays uses reclaimed materials including textiles, fabric, and cardboard to create her abstract works of art. In this interview, Jodi discusses her journey as an artist and the inspiration behind her mixed media paintings, which she considers to be “a form of note-taking and organizing knowledge.”
Tell me about your background and where your creative journey began.
I suppose my creative journey began up top a stool in my dad’s hardware store, thumbing through wallpaper books. Or maybe it was when I decided to pursue art college, despite being a pretty normcore kid.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I can’t help but want to get to work in the studio after seeing a great show or reading a good book. Given my workhorse default, rest and the beach are always good. I also like to watch birds.
How has your work shifted and evolved over time?
The joy of having made for a while is seeing unexpected, sometimes subtle repetitions in work that make me believe in art magic. My long-term commitment to painting has led me on a path that has widened gradually into reclaimed materials, fabric and paper collages.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
My studio days are made of parts. Coffee, reading, making, thinking, editing, emailing, applying, making, birding. The studio is currently in my backyard. I can walk there in a minute, open up the garage door on nice days and sit on my studio sofa to look at work. Sometimes I walk around the house to the back for a longer commute and to check out what is growing.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
Becoming a parent created an immersion, as I quit my academic curator position after my first son was born. The way it all works, there has been some isolation in this choice. But it allowed me ample time in my practice, and forced me to cut any fat, what was not serving the work.
How has Instagram impacted your art career?
Instagram has allowed me to further find a community around a set of ideas about art. And during quarantine, it was a lifeline. I love seeing work from friends all over the globe.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
It would make my year (decade) if John Yau saw and wrote about my work. I'd like a lot of things, though. Too many, probably.
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