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Artist Jocelyn Josef'’s Modern Abstract Pop

Jocelyn Josef

Jocelyn Josef

Hawaiian born Jocelyn Josef has long held an interest in art. But life and the corporate world got in the way until recently. After moving to Los Angeles, Jocelyn reconnected with her artistic roots to create modern pop collage paintings that conjure up iconic images in her Squarism paintings. Jocelyn's works have made an early impact on the art scene and have been featured in many of L.A.'s top galleries. Jocelyn took some time to discuss her process with JustLuxe.

 

How did you get started as an artist?

My interest with Art started at an early age. I would be placed in gifted Art programs in school. After College I went backpacking in Europe and got inspired by all of the Art and Culture.

However, it was after a visit to the Picasso Museum in Paris that really opened my eyes to the “Love of Life” which is Painting. I knew instantly what my calling in life was, after visiting Picasso’s Museum.

 

You define your work as?

Modern Abstract Pop

 

What is Squarism?

A succession of layered Squares. What inspired my Squarism style is Picasso’s Cubism and Modernest period, I combined the two styles together.

 

What is your process?

First, I think of a feeling or memory. I can absorb so much around me, this is my way of releasing an energy.

 

I use plastic putty knives. I have 3 different sizes, small, medium and large. The small knife is to create the squares and the medium and large size knives are to create texture and the black lines that outline the squares. I spread Acrylic paint on paper palette. I find that paper palette has a smoother surface for me to scrape the paint using a putty knife.

 

I first use the small knife, I smear Acrylic paint in a one to one half inch size square. I wait for the squares to dry, then I thinly spread black paint over on paper palette, from here I use either a medium or large knife (it depends on the size of the piece) I use a scrapping motion to pick up the black paint. The paint should only be at the tip of the knife, I then stamp on the outline of the squares and add in clean sharp lines to give more texture. Once this first layer is of squares are completed, the process of another layer of squares is added.

This layering process can take weeks to months to complete. I will know when the piece is complete, when I can see and feel the squares dancing of the canvas.

 

Who are your main influences? Are they mainly painters, or in other fields?

Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Willem De Kooning. However, Picasso is really my main inspiration.

 

How do you feel the Internet has changed how artists work?

The Internet is amazing; it is an endless door of the world, opportunity and knowledge. You can open your mind with one click, connect with others and create on another level.

 

Tell me a bit about your collage work.

My Pop Collage style really started because I was bored and impatient with waiting for the paint to dry. Because I paint with layers on my Squarisum style, I really can’t move on until the first layer is dry.

 

This style is a layering process as well. I use a blend of Acrylic and a mixture of water and tacky glue. I also use this process with Fabric paint. It gives a soft glaze over the paint and amazing texture.

 

I take photos, images on the Internet, newspaper and magazine pages and start layering them with colored tissue paper until I can see a composition. I mainly like to use iconic artists as my subject in this style, such as Andy Warhol, Picasso and CoCo Chanel, just to name a few pieces I have completed.

 

What do you want viewers to take from your work?

Really, I want them to enjoy viewing the pieces as much as I love creating them. I want my love to transcend through the pieces and that the viewer feels great and uplifted after. Painting is my drug of choice; I hope they get high of the work.

 

What are you currently working on?

I’m finishing a collection I started in the ending of 2014. A four pieceSquarism series: the birth, journey, struggle and death of Jesus Christ. I completed the first three; I am finishing up the last piece entitled “Prince of Peace.”

 

Where can people see your art?You can view my work on my website: http://jocelynjosef4.com

 

Jocelyn Josef

Jocelyn Josef

Carly Zinderman

Carly Zinderman is a Senior Staff Writer for JustLuxe, based just outside of Los Angeles, CA. Since graduating from Occidental College with a degree in English and Comparative Literary Studies, she has written on a variety of topics for books, magazines and online publications, but loves fashion and style best. In her spare time, when she?s not writing, Carly enjoys watching old movies, reading an...(Read More)

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