Pauline Jans is a Penticton British Columbia based abstract artist. Her art can be described as “intuitive, raw, explorative, and expressive”. Scroll down to learn more about Pauline Jans and see her abstract art.
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Pauline Jans Penticton BC Artist
What’s the main inspiration for your art?
My creativity is inspired by exploring the expression of the nature of life, mainly drawn from the outdoors, including both its beauty and its grit. I’m interested in its impact on me and me on it, both from a transformative point of view as well as spiritual. The ruggedness of the landscape, its vastness, and expansiveness reminds me of life-potential, its fragility and impermanence.
What is the biggest goal you try to achieve with your art?
What drives the development of work is a need to create art that is unique to me, work that is authentic, considered, thoughtful, and brave. My art asks many questions of me and the viewer, requesting an allowance for space, where deeper understanding of self and life-potential can exist.
What’s your favorite thing about being an abstract artist?
Abstract art leaves room for imagination and questions, both for me and those viewing my work. There are comfortable pieces and there are those that ask one to stop and wonder. I love that!
Why abstract art and not other styles?
Creating abstract art offers me a journey to express myself, question myself, and create challenges for myself. I started out working representationally, but quickly shifted toward abstraction. Having come from previous professions that required me to be precise, accurate, and perfect, abstract art gave me a way to explore more deeply while releasing those restrictions and having fun along the way. It’s both bliss and quest wrapped up in one.
What’s one thing people might not know about you and your art journey so far?
I grew up in a large family in the country on a dairy farm. Often being thrown into the deep end I learned how to pivot, problem solve and take responsibility by the horns. It’s in my nature.
I am a forever learner and am always striving to improve. I’m a teacher, a coach, a mentor & an influencer. I take these responsibilities seriously and with a generous heart. As a forever learner, I also acknowledge there’s so much more to absorb. This too drives my creative process. I innately have a need to continue to evolve. I am who I compete with.
I often consider myself a lone wolf, as I figure out most things on my own. Much of what I know and do today is self taught. I’m a hunter, a gatherer, an inventor and creator. My art is something that I discover, uncover, resolve and evolve. This includes techniques I develop and how I use or even invent materials. This may be a tougher road to travel but it feels the most natural and authentic to me.
Did you always know you’d be an artist or how has your art journey progressed?
When I was a child I wanted to be an artist, however, circumstances led me along a more practical route. The longing was always there, as I’d often find myself shopping for art supplies bringing them home to try out and explore. Eventually, much farther down the road, a corporate shuffle and job displacement allowed me the space to imagine something better, to return to my first dream and passion of making art.
In your opinion, what’s the most important personal characteristic needed to embark on a career as an artist?
I believe the most important personal characteristic needed to embark on a career as an artist is passion. Passion is closely linked with “interest in” and this team of assets feeds an artist when things become challenging. Passion drives the creator to continue on, to search, explore, following inspiration and ideas, to the next step and ultimately to various iterations and outcomes.
What advice would you give up and coming abstract artists?
I encourage all artists to consistently exercise patience, curiosity, persistence & authenticity,… to remain open, be tenacious, and to be your strongest, clearest, most brave self,… to be you.
Do you have any favorite podcasts or books that you love and that have contributed to your journey as an artist?
I am very selective of what I allow in my head space and won’t listen to, read or watch anything that can sway my creative output. I choose carefully what I wish to expose my hungry mind to. I must say however, that the most impactful book I ever read at the beginning of my abstract art journey was Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimone. After completely devouring this book from cover to cover, I felt a veil had been lifted, cuffs were off and the sky, … and of course, my imagination was/is the limit.
What’s your most fulfilling and enjoyable experience as an artist so far?
The most fulfilling and enjoyable experience for me as an artist is finishing a difficult piece. As a mentor and teacher, I most definitely love witnessing when the penny drops for the artists I coach.
When I myself come through a challenging creative journey with painting, I find the shift that happens from that experience to be most exhilarating, and not that unlike finishing a challenging long-journey hike. Wading through the self doubt and occasional anguish and yet still surfacing on the other side,… it’s completely brilliant.
Where do you see yourself and your art in 5 years?
I have grown and achieved a great deal as an artist in the last five years. My work load has been heavy, my learning curve steep and I appreciate all the successes I’ve enjoyed. This is my path,… to keep up the good work. I see the work flow softening and streamlining as I catch my creative stride with more emphasis directed at the making of my own personal art work.
What do you love most about abstract art?
Do you have any favorite quotes?
I resonate more with mantras that touch my soul. Phrases that remind us we are ok, “as is”. Be you. Follow your innards. Listen to your inner guide. Risk being seen. Be brave. Be you.
Is there anything else you’d like to include?
Yes! I’d like to include my cheerleading message. As I mentioned, I teach and coach artists and the most prevalent issue I’ve observed that many artist struggle with, is self confidence. Permission to be here “as is” has already been granted since the day we were born. But actualizing that, breathing that in and out, honest, confident, unapologetic expression, that’s a challenge for many. Including myself at times.
I am a huge advocate and supporter of embracing who we are with total acceptance and promote fully enjoying this journey of self expression rather than “getting it right”. It is right already.
And we are always evolving. To myself and all artists and people out there, let’s just enjoy living, loving, being who we are and evolving into our more defined and actualized self.
As you can see Pauline Jans is a talented Canadian abstract artist and incredible supporter of other artists. We hope you enjoyed getting to know Pauline Jans as much as we did.
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