Mastermind Behind the Masterpieces: Q&A with Jeran Avery
As you may know, our September #FFKC show, Trials, Many Kinds, is quickly approaching. We’re very excited to see what AWESOME drawings Jeran has in-store for us. We did a quick Q&A, so you can get to know him and his process better:
Q: Tell us a little more about how you got started with drawing. A: I really got into drawing when I was in middle school. I was interested in becoming an animator or designing characters for animated movies. I just loved doing it and kept drawing. After college I kept drawing, mostly illustrations, but didn't have a direction. Dylan Mortimer got me thinking about fine art and what I could bring to that world. Once I got into the challenge of making relevant contemporary work – I loved it. You really have no boundaries other than the ones you create and you can always change those as you go. The work is a lot of fun.
Q: Your main tools are pencil, pen and sharpie. How have you used them to develop your unique style? A: Drawing is arguably the oldest art form, so originality was a must to bring something relevant into a contemporary art context. I started using just black pen like an artist who inks comic books, but after a while I felt like I was borrowing the comic look too much so I started pulling out forms that were my own and doing pieces based on those. That’s where the knots originated. I started flattening them out using finer pens and then adding color. I realized color added real depth and I could layer or tint the work with different shades.
I once swore I would only do black and white, now I can't imagine going back. My old black and white drawings look unfinished to me now.
Q: All of your drawings are very bold and have an almost 3D aesthetic. To what do you attribute this? A: Artists that have the ability to create depth in drawing are always an inspiration to me. It could be a tattoo with a lot of pop to it or an etching from hundreds of years ago that has perfect perspective. I really enjoy work that pushes the boundary of "flatness" in drawing. In reaction to those artists, I try to push depth or a 3D look in my work. I feel like it gives the piece a dynamic feel, like you could grab a part of the form. It’s a challenge for me to create depth. I always want to push the media as far as I can and it really draws people into the piece.
Q: You've done some pretty awesome drawings on everything from paper to cars. What's your favorite creation so far? A: I don't know if I have a favorite. The Ducati was probably the highest on the cool factor, but I have two drawings of skulls and daisies. One of them is 80 inches tall and 120 inches long and the other is 60 inches tall and 160 inches long pencil on drawing boards. They are the most ambitious pieces I’ve done so far and they are probably my favorites.
Q: Last, but not least, what's your favorite place to grab tacos? A: If I want authentic street style I go to Taquero Dos De Oros in Martin City, and if I want greasy, but wonderful, I go to Fuzzy's.
For more information and to keep up-to-date on the show, visit the Facebook Event.
