CH // How did you first discover your passion for painting?

JK // I have had a passion for creating ever since I was young. I'd spend hours drawing, sewing, and painting. Anything that excited me. I spent most of my high school years heavily invested in black-and-white drawings. It wasn't until 2nd year of University studying Art + Design that I found my love for painting again. 

CH // How has your artistic style evolved over the years? Are there any pivotal moments that influenced your work?

JK // When I first started painting I was working through colour studies and more traditional techniques. When I stepped into an abstract painting course at University (which initially I was dreading) I quickly fell in love with abstracts. My early work was very experimental, where I used a ton of colours and wild brush strokes. I was really sorting out the materials I liked. The process being my research. Now I have settled into my love for large-scale work and I use minimal, more intentional colour choices. I still feel like my practice is ever-evolving, each collection and body or work is teaching me something about the last and the next. The continuous exploration and trying of new techniques is what continues my love for my practice. 

CH // Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative flow?

JK // Yes. I think setting up my environment to have a successful painting session is key. I will putter around the studio, collecting my equipment and materials, setting the intention for my piece. I will light a candle or incense. I always have music on to set the vibe and some sort of warm drink nearby. These rituals are small acts of self-care that help me prepare my mind and body to get into a state of flow. 

CH // What materials and techniques do you gravitate toward in your work?

JK // Water is a big one in my practice. I work primarily with acrylic paints which are water soluble. I can mix water in/on and it helps me work in a way that doesn't always feel like I have full control. I am monitoring the work as it dries, moving and shifting where it needs and saving the moments I want to preserve on canvas. 

CH // Do you begin each piece with a clear vision, or is it a more intuitive process?

JK // A little bit of both. Of course, I have some things in mind when starting a work but more often than not I am following the guide of the materials, watching them interact and engage and seeing what I like and what I don't. I feel like the process is so much of my research. Setting up intentional marks and yet allowing accidents to happen and choosing what to keep and what to change.