Artist Profile: Terry Jankowski

About myself
Hi all, Cyndi very kindly asked if I would like to contribute to the artist’s profile – it’s a brilliant way to get to know other artists. This is the first time I’ve done anything like this – so please bear with me!

I live in Devon, UK (close to sea, in a small market town with rolling countryside)..I’m actually a Londoner..so the pace of life is very different now for me.

I have a son, Kasi, who’s just turned 15 (in a rock band), a cat Willow (not yet in a rock band) and a multitude of indoor and outdoor fish – some quite rare……

I’m afraid I have no art qualifications – I was offered a sponsorship to Goldsmiths (a prestigious UK art college) but had to leave school at 14 to help with family finances.

However, I did go to evening classes to further my education, and managed to get an Art A Level (not sure how though, as I only went to the class 3 times)

I think arts just always been in my blood…..

Terry Jankowski

How would I describe my work?
I generally work in encaustics – using molten wax, a special iron and stylus – and very recently started doing watercolours. I love encaustics and am surprised it’s not more popular in this country……people who say they’d love to be able to do something artistic, but have no training, really should try it. Once you have the basic idea , you can create beautiful patterns, turning them into paintings or making your own cards, it really will give a boost to your confidence. You’ll be amazed at your newfound skills….

I’ve been doing encaustics for a while now, so I’ve gone on to more intricate work – which can take as long as any other paint medium..sometimes a week or so. Here’s one of my earlier pics – A4 – just using the iron and two wax blocks – orange and violet.

The Tree

All my pics now tell a story – this one for instance, much more complex. My brother and his friend found a little mouse in their house, they fell in love with it – but knew they had to release it back to the wild. They took a photo and I painted it as I imagined it would be – safe and sound in it’s underground nest:

Mousey

What does art mean to me?
It’s a complete escape from life – you can do anything you want – without the risk of being locked up

Each painting is like an invention to me, I get an idea, then because I have no training, I have to formulated in my mind’s eye what medium would be best, what techniques I’ll have to use, and if it’s even possible to get the effect I want (most times, needless to say, the “invention” doesn’t get past the patent stage!!!!). I’ll try out a few techniques ( that I’ve usually made up) to see if they work, then off I go…

If I have to do an actual subject – I will look through photos and the net to get realistic details from that object. Sometimes, during the work, I’ll think of another idea, and often change direction a bit – but I always know what I’m going to do before I start.

There’s no point in being frightened or wary when painting – if I make a mistake – well no one’s going to end up being hospitalized, or lose their right to vote….. you just have to be bold and keep trying new things. Mistakes are excellent – at least you’ll know what not to do next time…

If I’m feeling a bit cheesed off, or emotional, I’ll throw a load of water on watercolour paper, and then splash even more paint on. So far, luckily, as a non-swimmer, I’ve never drowned doing this technique! Sometimes straight from the tube – I don’t care – then sit in amazement and watch all the colours exploding into each other, like a firework display.

Within minutes – you feel uplifted and energised – so much cheaper than therapy

Here’s a watercolour I done with this techinque, and then painted into it, straight from imagination and emotions:

Happy New Year

If I’m feeling a bit stressed or anxious, I’ll concentrate on a finer detailed wc – I’ve found it’s impossible for your brain to be hyperactive, when you need intense concentration, brainwaves have to follow suit and re-organise themselves into tranquility…

I’d never done an animal portrait before, and decided this would take my mind off some worries I had (can’t even remember what they were now – so the fomula worked!!!). Here is my cat Willow:

Willow

What inspires me?

Anything challenging! Anything new! With art, it’s trying to get an idea from my head (or heart) onto paper. I’m constantly taking in images, looking at other artist’s work, thinking of new technqiues, and getting excited about the end result. Whenever I set up my iron – or get out paper and brushes, it’s got to be something completely different from what I’ve tried before.

My brother Colin (“Ezchile” on WetCanvas) actually gave me the watercolours and brushes (so a special thank you, and also for his inspiration and honest critique) and once he sent me a lovely photo of a desert cactus. Not really wanting to do a straight copy – I could imagine how ridiculously difficult it would be for a chameleon to camoflage himself in it. So I tried to do a painting of my silly idea…it took ages…and I tried to put an expression on him, as if he was saying “I suppose you think that’s funny”

Well, yes, I did actually…here it is:

Crazy Chameleon

What advice would I give to others?

Go from strength to strength in your art – there are no boundaries – try new things, paint from your soul, and have a blooming good time doing it…

Well, I hope I haven’t bored you all rigid…and thanks so much Cyndi for asking, and anyone looking in, thanks for taking the time to stop by…

Love xxxxx “TerryJan” on WetCanvas