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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Jessica Fortner
By Spraygraphic | May 30, 2008
Spraygraphic’s Chuck b. interviews artist Jessica Fortner about Morgan the Penguin Impostor, her artwork, and her future goals in art and animation.
Morgan the Penguin Impostor
Cletus the Flying Pig
In the Room
Mr. Scroode Spots Something
Padlock Pete in the Padded Room
Squirelly Business
Innocent
Mr. Fondell has a Dream
Perfect Day for a Swim
Jessica Fortner in her studio
Spraygraphic Interview with Jessica Fortner
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
JF: My name is Jessica Fortner and I am 25 years old. I recently graduated form the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto, Canada. Besides sculpting I am a printmaker and painter. I am a fan of stop motion animation and aspire one day to work on a short film.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
JF: I live with my boyfriend in a small apartment in downtown Toronto. The solarium in our apartment is where most of my illustrations are created.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
JF: My photo illustrations are collages of things that I find on the street or around the house. The core of what I use is Super Sculpey , wire and foam. I use acrylic paint on my characters and then varnish them to keep them from getting damaged during the photographing – I’m a little clumsy. Sometimes I use Photoshop to enhance the image, or add some effect that I can’t achieve through traditional methods.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
JF: I usually start off with a couple of words, ideas, concepts that I really feel are important to portray in the image I’m working on. Then I quickly do a character sketch, all my work is very character based, so it’s important that I can visualize the expression and the nuances that may be captured on the face. I feel that this is the most important part of my process. Without a realistic portrayal of human expression, none of my illustrations would work out. Then I figure out what the best composition or angle would be to really capture that emotion. There is a lot of planning, however once the photographing starts most of it goes out the door. Once I’ve decided the basics of those things then the sculpting, sewing, gluing, painting and playing god starts.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
JF: Scream, cry and rip my hair out. Then I play. Eventually something will come. Or I will just start sculpting the same thing over and over and over again, destroying it each time, until I feel that I have something worth-while to work with.
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
JF: I find that practically anything can inspire me. But usually my best ideas come from Sunday morning breakfast. There’s something about sitting in the company of friends, eating Eggs Benny that really gets my creative juices flowing.
SG: Can you please tell us a little about Morgan the Penguin Impostor ?
JF: Morgan the penguin impostor is about a man that is more comfortable in the company of penguins than other people. For me this illustration captures the personal struggle that some individuals have with self-identity. It is about that escape from reality.
SG: Can you tell us a little about A Perfect Day for a Swim ?
JF: This illustration was created mainly for the enjoyment of my boyfriend and I. Although it does represent something that I feel is missing, not only in media, but also art and illustration. I wish that the male form were more accepted. Sometimes I find myself pushing those boundaries, and more people should do it. Nonetheless, the image’s intention is to make you laugh at the ridiculousness of the possibility of swimming through a sea of penises.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
JF: My work is always up on my site and other sites that I have been polluting. I showed at The Gladstone Hotel Art Bar . That was about a year ago. Some of my woodcut prints have been in Cut’n’print Magazine, Blockcutters Social Klub, and Thing Zine – all local publications that were put together by a few artists.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
JF: Everywhere. Total world domination!
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
JF: My dream assignment, maybe even job would be to design and create characters for a stop motion animation film.
SG: What is your favorite color?
JF: Anything fluorescent, because it makes me happy.
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
JF: If I have to pick just one, I would have to say that Remedios Varo is my favorite Artist. She was one of the surrealist painters that came out of Spain, around the time of the Second World War. Her work is so magical and captivating. Her imagination and ability to create such fantastic worlds is astounding.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
JF: Margaret Atwood ’s A Handmaid’s Tale.
SG: Ever do a self-portrait? Where is it now?
JF: The header graphic for my website has a mini-self-portrait of sorts. I’m wearing lederhosen and brandishing a giant needle and thread.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
JF: My Bed. You couldn’t imagine the things that I can get done from bed.
SG: Any final words of advice?
JF: Nope. I’m too young to give advice. Check back with me when I’m 60.
Topics: Artist Interviews, Sculpture Art, Toys and Comics, Women Art |
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