Featured Artist Jeannette Sirois

Artist Jeannette Sirois’ provocative portraits capture the complexities and uncertainties of life through an overlay of words and sentiments. See more of her artwork by visiting her website.

 

 

For me, my art is a process about the creation, the subject and the intent.

 

 

When choosing the subject for my work, I consider how I connect to the world and how my art will then impact and speak to my clients and audience. Sometimes that meaning can be a simple thing, such as looking at how fast our lives are, and how finding moments to slow down and reflect can be fleeting.

 

 

What those moments mean to us and how we can find peace within them can be a monumental task. A piece of art with a simple flower or an animal that makes us smile, can bring us joy, happiness and a sense of calm. It allows us to take a breath, a much-needed part of our chaotic lives.

 

 

At the same time, for me, art must also be about issues that have deeper meaning, ones directly connected with how we interact and treat each other. Issues of race and equality have been a prominent part of my work, and I often use words on figures to move the message along. These works have been on display in public art work projects and have found homes in permanent collections.

 

 

I create my art with wax and oil based pencils rich in colour pigment on acid free papers. The images I choose are drawn using multiple layers of transparent colour where I work to build up rich intricate detail and texture revealing depth and dimension. I incorporate a mix of media, from charcoal to coloured inks, and use a representational hyper-realistic style where I try to reveal, in the work, a sense of story.

 

 

This process of drawing these rich details are intended to highlight the journey the subject takes through life. Drawing, for me, lends itself well to my nature. Being detail oriented, I thoroughly enjoy the creating process of these works that can take hundreds of hours to complete. This lengthy process allows me the time to reflect on what and why I create. In the end, it also provides opportunity for others to enjoy, and reflect which is the intent of the work.

 

 

Art making has always been an important part of my life and is central to everything I do—it is my tool that allows me to speak, albeit in a visual language. I continue to show my work in galleries, and competitions and work towards connecting more with clients and art investors.

 

Artist Jeannette Sirois invites you to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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