Spotlight | Jasmine Alexander

Jasmine is my nearest and dearest.  Over countries and time we continue to maintain the bestie thing.

1) How would you describe yourself?

 Hi! I am an artist, a mover, a lover, a teacher and a learner. 

2) Currently, what is your medium of choice?

Watercolor, gouache, ink have been my go-to since I started travelling 2 years ago. When the resources are available to me, I work in oil paint and dabble in clay. Oh, and dance and movement. 

3) I have watched your art develop over the years of our friendship, how do you see your art evolving in the future?

I have learned since graduating that attempting to define my work according to what I feel it should be only results in inauthenticity and ruts. I can have future goals that I apply myself to, but I think the work can only be what it is in that space and time. I want my work to reflect my surroundings and to evoke dialogue, internal or external. As a painter I’m always looking for something unexpected and raw and I can only hope that the future continues to bring out new ideas and new conversations. 

4) Right now you are in Korea, how has Korean culture influenced you?

I’m so infatuated by South Korea’s landscape, it is so rich and diverse. Korea is a communal culture, they are big on sharing here which I love. I feel like I won’t know how my current surroundings are influencing me until much later when it comes to my work. I think so often we prematurally claim how something affects us, but it is only in retrospect that we can see how we are influenced. 

5)  At the end of the day, what drives you?

I’m driven by incessant curiosity, but also by a desire to explore relationship through art and making. The relationships between us and nature, spirit realm, other people, the material world. I believe that people are creative beings by nature, and there is nothing more honest and powerful than agreeing to commit to that individual creativity and process. My partner once said to me “You want to set the world on fire, and you will.” and that has always stuck with me about the “why” in art. I think in some way or another, I want to create little sparks and see what will happen. 

6) What are you working on right now?

In the midst of a demanding day job, I’m currently doing a small challenge for myself to draw/paint everyday for the month of June.  I have an mini illustrative series called The Lifelines that has been on a hiatus since I moved to Korea, but it is ongoing. I have just started teaching an art program here in Korea called Hands On that I built from the ground up… which I’ll have to update you on once it unfolds! And there may be a project in the works with my radiant best friend, but more on that later. ;) 

7) Do you have any morning/night routines that centre you?

I’m a big breakfast and coffee person. I believe in the ritual of breakfast before your day takes off. I try to workout once a day, and I have to wash my face before bed. Besides that, I love when each day is slightly different than the last. I switch it up. 

8) If you were to pass on any advice/knowledge/wisdom to other creative seeking spirits, what would you want to say?

Stay compassionate, stay open, be curious. And remember, no matter what, there is always something more in you to make. Fitting in is overrated. 

9) You were and still are a member of 'The Creatives' group that meets here in Halifax, what kept you coming back every month? 

Besides the fact that those women rock the ground I stand on and keep me sane? I think we’d be so lost without other artists and creatives to do life with, especially as women. The art world, like the rest of the world, is largely still run by men and knowing there are strong, gutsy, intelligent women you can call on is imperative. I’m so excited for our reunion! 

10) You are doing a project this month (June) can you tell us more about it? 

Sure! I started doing a drawing-a-day type challenge this month to jumpstart my priorities and my creative headspace. Moving and working in Korea has been such a whirlwind, and my art process definitely suffered. And of course at the end of the day, no one is going to pick up the brush or pen for me. So I knew that I had to get back into making, no matter how big or small. Loose guidelines: post the drawing on social media, even if I hate it. Be open to sudden shifts in subject matter and unexpected directions. Don’t take yourself too seriously, there’s more making in you.