Jay Alders - “I am just the middle man between the idea and the final product”
Final Part
Fine art painter Jay Alders talks to us about the process of his work and how he remains focused.
“Sky Meditation”
A: Take me through the whole process of one of your paintings from where the idea comes from to when you know its finished?
JA: Ideas come from anywhere. A color scheme I see..a concept for a certain shape..a spiritual thought..something I doodled or saw somewhere…a certain technique I want to try…
I sketch something..it obsesses in my head or I decide to challenge myself and then I dwell on it to the point where I try to imagine every step
“Lying by Moonlight”
It usually comes out completely different but thats ok, because I am just the middle man between the idea and the final product.
I usually do an underpainting in tones, then do a combination of transparent glazes of color and opaque layers of light to give the final piece a glowing effect and it keeps the colors vivid. Each session will take between 2-5 hours. Most of my paintings take a few months, some longer and some shorter.
I decide a painting is done when any further work would really not improve it, or when its close enough to done to satisfy my inner obsession.
A Girl
A: How do you remain focused and productive?
JA:I dont sleep much. I creative prioritized goals and obsess over self help books, or used to and just follow the advice now. I have so so much going on between business and personal, its more of a challenge finding time rather than being productive. I find I am most inspired when I am relaxed. So taking time outs, vacations, trips to surf or skate and Jay-time at the beach really helps.
“Right Past The Light”
A: When and how did you decide your work was ready to sell for the first time?
JA: Well Ive been freelancing for like 17 1/2 years. So Im accustomed to selling my art. But as for my paintings and photography, it sort of just happens. People ask and it develops into a normal thing.
A: How did it feel the first time you sold one of your paintings?
JA: Well, thats hard to answer, because I rarely want to or allow the sale of originals, but I sell prints a lot. It’s always a great feeling to know people connect with my art. At first especially, it makes me feel accomplished, but I never let it go to my head. Each piece can be better, and thats what motivates me more than a sale.
A: What is the most difficult thing about being an artist?
JA: The obsession and self-criticism. I love the passion but hate the obsession sometimes. Its very very hard for me to just slow down. Being an artist, you’re always thinking , always pondering and comparing and being critical. I wish sometimes I could just see art through the eyes of a non-creative person to just have that joy and intrigue still.
A: How do you deal with criticism?
JA: I try and block it out, but it affects me and most artists I know. I could hear 1000 compliments, but one person that says something too critical and thats what sticks.
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