Today we’d like to introduce you to Jules Silver.
Hi Jules, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I believe painting has been in my blood since the day I was born. Abstract art specifically had captured my imagination from an early age. Artists from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s resonated with me the most. I’ve studied and followed the likes of Motherwell, Kline, Still, Rothko and Pollock to name a few.
My first showings to the art world began in Southern California. It was there that I created assemblages using a variety of found objects or repurposed items. Cement, Tar, broken auto parts and the like were pretty common in my pieces with double entendre titles that were either political or satirical. in nature.
The more I experimented with conventional and unconventional tools and a variety of mediums I found new ways to create pieces that were more meaningful forms of self expression. The art took on a new purpose for me and a new form of freedom to express myself in the moment and in that regard art had no boundaries.
My greatest reward is for the observer to take away some new found freedoms and to experience their own feelings in the moment. To paraphrase Picasso just “look and observe with no need to understand but to feel.” If I create this I will have succeeded in my work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall the process of becoming an artist has been relatively smooth for me although nothing worth doing hasn’t had its learning curve, obstacles and challenges. I’ve learned by the mistakes I’ve made whether it was with that first stroke of paint upon the canvas or with the challenge of finding ways to share my inner most feelings that I’ve created with a larger audience. As an artist I find it a very personal way for me to communicate with the observer via shapes, colors, action and gestures.
Georgia O’keefe once said, “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I consider myself an experimental abstract artist and have had the good fortune of winning a number of awards in juried art exhibitions and shows in the last several years such as the Art League of Daytona Beach, Beaux Art of Central Florida, Artist Workshop of New Smyrna Beach, and local art festivals.
More recently I have transitioned into using tools and techniques found in calligraphy and combined it with abstract art. I love the meditative state and self expression of the here and now found in calligraphy and then expressing it with the sometimes chaotic action and gestures of abstract art.
Most of my work is monochromatic, black and white and sometimes with a splash of color. Most of the paintings are minimalism in the the same vein as the well recognized abstract artists of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.
I have recently taken to performance art using the same calligraphy and abstract art techniques but on a much larger scale, Instead of using brushes I’ve chosen mops to apply paint or ink. Some paintings are performed on canvas with acrylic paint and others are painted on special paper with India inks which are more along traditional lines of Japanese and Chinese calligraphy.
I am open to more performance painting and will consider commissioned pieces upon request.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I love quotes attributed to a variety of famous artists and those that are not so famous that resonate with me. I recently came across this one quote that probably expresses my feelings best and one that I wish I knew and practiced when I first began painting. In my opinion it is the best advice for anyone looking for something to hang their hat when starting out.
“You don’t always need a plan – Just breathe, trust, let go and see what happens.” Mindy Hale – blogger, writer
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julessilverart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulessilverArt/
