JASON BEHRENDS
DESTIG TORONTO - ART | DESIGN | TRAVEL - ISSUE 09 / JANUARY 2021
BEST OF 2020 | TODAY'S GREAT CANADIAN ARTISTS | SPECIAL ART FEATURES | HOT PICKS
"HOW MARVELOUS THAT THEY BROUGHT FORTH SUCH MAGNIFICIENCE FROM THEIR BRUSHES AND CHISELS." - ANONYMOUS
"I find my eyes being drawn to a blade of grass blowing in the wind or watching a duck fly off to the horizon. I imagine the wind swirling through the fields and water flowing down a stream. This planet is amazing and sometimes we fail to see all the beauty it possesses. In that moment, I stop, I watch, and I capture that moment to share with everyone."
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Jason Behrends lives in Fredericksburg, Texas. He has
curiosity to roam wild – especially with different paints
a doctorate in science. His abstract art reflects his
that could create texture and offer a multi-dimensional
interest in nature, science, and his surroundings. He
experience for the audience. I’ve worked with oils, but
utilizes his interests as inspiration to explore color,
when I discovered latex acrylic paint, it completely
light, and texture with acrylic latex paint on canvas.
changed my esthetic and allowed me to play and see different forms emerge as I created.
Give a summary of your background and history. Growing up in a rural area outside a small town in
Share with us some insights into your process.
Texas, experiencing the mysteries and beauty of nature
Most of my work starts with a sketch of a concept; one
was a welcomed gift. Inspired at a young age by my
that is always rooted in nature. It may be a shape that I
father Monroe, encouraged me to explore art in all its
am intrigued by or some sort of movement that sparks
forms. I was around 5 or 6 and with my father’s
an idea. I flew a lot before the pandemic and my time
guidance, I began my craft by creating landscapes;
spent in the clouds allowed time to calm my thoughts
where he taught me how to blend colors and the
and sketch. From there, I translate those sketches onto a
intricate techniques of oil paint. Discovering those skills
blank canvas. While I have many sketches that I have yet
early on piqued my interest and allowed my natural
to paint, I look for the right tools to translate them to
"Art triggers inspiration and I want to pass that along to my viewers. I want to create something that makes nostalgic memories come to light and perhaps a feeling of movement."
canvas. I am beginning to research and
How do you want to impact viewers?
develop techniques that may one day
Art triggers inspiration and I want to pass
allow me to create those works.
that along to my viewers. I want to create something that makes nostalgic memories
How would you describe the unique
come to light and perhaps a feeling of
DNA of your art?
movement. As humans, we’re always on
Nature. My work for the most part- at
the hunt looking for the next spark or ‘ah
least at the moment, does not scream
ha’ moment. The art I create is multi-
nature, but the colors I tend to migrate
dimensional and is more than what
towards are bright, typically in one family
appears on canvas. These creations are of
and may not be necessarily associated
natural harmony and show how it all can
with nature. Close your eyes and imagine
work together to be stunningly beautiful
a leaf. It’s not just a single shade of green,
– if only we can take a break from staying
but depth and perception introduce other
within confined lines and be open to
complimentary
what’s going to happen next.
colors
that
blend
together. There is a natural blending in nature that happens when you look
Share with us some client reactions?
closely, and I try to capture that in all of
I do love working directly with clients
my work.
because you get to be inspired all over
"The art I create is multi-dimensional and is more than what appears on canvas."
"I want to push the boundaries of how much is too much."
again. Some times you get to hear what they are
Share with us some of the themes and concepts that
thinking and feeling about a piece that was made
you have explored.
specifically with them in mind. One client had seen my
Discovering abstract did not happen overnight, but with
work and reached out to commission a piece. The client
my roots in landscapes, the foundation just continued
was looking for a statement that would naturally draw
blossoming. I think I fought it at first and I can see it in
people in- a conversation piece, if you will. As long as the
my work. I wanted to maintain the control of one part of
person viewing my work feels some sort of emotion, I
my brain and in another part, I wanted to be free.
consider it a success. Like life, art is unpredictable.
I became intrigued by flora, which allowed me to move
Often, art has the ability to be seen differently by the
away from realism a bit and opened my mind to the
same person because of the lighting, the angle or the
abstract. From there it evolved to where I am today.
way the person is feeling at that particular moment.
I still will get inspired by a flower and just have to paint
it, but I am loving where my art has evolved to and am still continuing that journey in paint and discovery to define new concepts. What are you currently working on? I am currently working on a series of color and movement, which all stems from an inspiration I have found in nature. My current work has allowed me to really play with texture on canvas. I want people to view my work from all angles to see the depth. If I could hang my work horizontally, I might just do that. I want to push the boundaries of how much is too much. One more layer, maybe just one more.
What directions are you interested to explore in
being drawn to a blade of grass blowing in the wind or
future projects?
watching a duck fly off to the horizon. I imagine the
Seasons through motion and texture while exploring
wind swirling through the fields and water flowing
my immediate surroundings more. I am fortunate to
down a stream. This planet is amazing and sometimes
live on a beautiful property with vast open spaces and
we fail to see all the beauty it possesses. In that
wildlife everywhere. The space I work in is completely
moment, I stop, I watch, and I capture that moment to
bonded to nature’s natural wonders. I find my eyes
share with everyone.
What attracts you to your preferred medium? I love the way latex acrylic paints flow and give the ability to create layers and layers for texture. The way it disperses on the canvas can be random- yet the ability for it to be controlled intrigues me. It’s that natural struggle between freedom, control and finding the natural balance that appeals to me. I look for different means to transfer the paint onto canvas… anything besides a brush really, though it does come in handy from time to time. What do you feel when you are creating? My art is my feelings, so it depends on my emotions at the time of me creating. I will say I try to only paint when I am in a positive and inspired mood. Sometimes I turn on the music and just paint. The emotions fill the canvas, which can be calmness and serenity, happiness and excitement, or sometimes tension and fear. What are your views on the role of art today? Art has very few boundaries if any. One person can see art in something, while another does not. However, art should speak to you and make you feel something. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, it matters only what you think. If you like it and you are inspired by it, that is what matters. Art can be a statement, but it also can just be beautiful to look at. I try to make art that is beautiful in someone’s eyes. Something someone can appreciate and enjoy. How does your location influence your art? I live in a small town and am fortunate to have nature all around me. The nature inspires me and has really focused my current work. My home is light and bright, allowing me to discover nature’s happenings and become inspired. Our small town has many artists and galleries that I enjoy visiting.
"I try to make art that is beautiful in someone’s eyes. Something someone can appreciate and enjoy."
"I look for positivity and I hope that shows in the art I am creating."
How has your art practice evolved over your career? I am exploring the next chapter other than being a private artist creating custom pieces for my clients. The process is different for me because I get to know the client and ask many questions before I start. I also work with them as I create. In this next chapter I am opening myself up to the public more, which is a bit more challenging. At the same time, it is giving me more freedom to create and explore where I want to head next. I am really excited about this next chapter and how my work will evolve. How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your creative expression? It has forced me to look at what I am passionate about. It has given me time to think and discover what is possible. It has forced me to put myself out there, which is ironic because we have had to close ourselves off from the world at the same time. I look for positivity more and I really hope that shows in the art I am creating in this moment. Art has become more and more of an outlet for me during this pandemic. Website: www.behrendsgallery.artspan.com