JUST JAE: Q&A with Ramsgate artist JAE
From live-drawing MAC make-up customers to owls and hand-painting plant pots
From piping icing on to the Christian Dior Harrods Gingerbread House and live-drawing MAC make-up customers to owls and hand-painting plant pots, Ramsgate artist Jae Wilkinson (@JAEJUSTJ) has found a range of mediums on which to pour her creativity
HEY JAE, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVEN’T SEEN IT?
Well, I feel my work is predominately very colourful! I like to work with acrylic mostly as well as sprays. Imagery-wise? I play with type, shapes and portraits as much as possible (this is what I love). The end outcome can be quite diverse depending on what I want to make. For example, I could be painting ceramics one minute and then installations the next - either way it all has my stamp on it.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO CREATING ART IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Hmmm, I guess my dad was an amazing artist and always shared his work with me as a child, which was pretty inspiring – unfortunately, he never practised as an artist outside the confines of his early 20s and worked as a firefighter. In terms of my own path, I was quite an introverted child and spent a lot of time at home - my parents didn’t have much growing up and pens or paper always came cheap.
In school I used to spend my lunch breaks upstairs in the art room with my friends (very uncool, I know), where we would draw and make our portfolios instead of getting into too much drama on the school field. Art has always been a place of comfort for me, it’s where I feel most at home.
YOU HAVE A RANGE OF MEDIUMS FOR YOUR WORK FROM PAINT TO DIGITAL GRAPHICS - DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE? IF SO, WHY?
Yes, completely. I LOVE painting, that is my absolute go-to. There’s something so fluid about using your hands to create something, there’s no limit to what you can do. I of course love digital art, too - however, I struggle with the fact you can be (but not always) limited by what the software allows you to do. On the other hand, you can create animations, 3D objects and interactive spaces, which is unbelievably cool. I think I just love to be physical with my work, there’s something more harmonious about the process.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO TOOL WHEN YOU START A PIECE?
Mood boards! I think that's a tool, right? I need, need, need a visual reference for all my ideas to help me build a style or even motivate me to complete work. I really love the research process and being inspired - it’s the best bit.
DO YOU HAVE ANY MAJOR INFLUENCES ON YOUR WORK?
I think I am constantly inspired by people, environments and work, so if I’m honest, it’s hard to say.
I have always loved the Renaissance period because it’s absolutely bloody beautiful - how could you not? And the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael. In terms of a modern artist, it would have to be Tim Walker - his play on shapes, set and camera angles are just so interesting. He’s always found on my inspiration board, always.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE OF YOUR OWN WORK? IF SO, WHAT IS IT AND WHY?
Yes and no? I like different pieces for different reasons, such as the process was different or I tried something new and it worked.
If I had to pick one, it would be my mural of a woman who currently resides on my bedroom wall. The piece was kind of inspired by the story of Adam and Eve in terms of its visuals and was created because I was designing the space and felt not enough people have these big grand artworks on their walls anymore, so I thought, well, I want one.
She’s just beautiful. I’m always really overwhelmed with the idea that I, me, created that - without being too egotistical. It’s important to celebrate your own work as it’s not too often you allow yourself to. I guess if I see it every day I really need to love it.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH JAZZ GRANT STUDIO.
I freelance as a prop-maker and scenic painter for all sorts of projects outside of my own personal works. The wonderful thing about freelancing, as daunting as it can be, is that you work alongside some incredible artists and designers as well as say yes to all the wonderful opportunities that present themselves.
Jazz is such a beautiful person and artist to work for - her processes are on such a large scale sometimes and she uses techniques that are relatively new to my own practice. It’s always a pleasure to work with her - she enabled me to work with clients I could only dream of working with, such as Off-White, Hermes and even some football teams.
In terms of Harrods, I have worked with them a few times on different projects. When I was first starting out as an illustrator I had the opportunity to be a live portrait artist for MAC Cosmetics in Harrods and have customers sit for me as I drew them for a new lipstick launch - it was such a nerve-racking experience, I can tell you.
More recently, I worked with Christan Dior on the Christmas install where they turned the entirety of Harrods into a gingerbread house. I can honestly say that I am the queen of piping now.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE COMMISSIONED PIECE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE MOST?
Oooo, I enjoy most projects I’m asked to do, if I’m honest. I guess there’s something humbling about seeing my work on products or across stores everywhere in the country. I have had the opportunity to illustrate Patisserie Valerie cakes for Wimbledon and create images for a product line called Za’ta Restaurants in London where I could physically go and see my work - there’s no feeling quite like it.
I also worked with a brand called Miscreants years ago on a 1960s fashion film - we created the most amazing set on a very tight schedule and very little sleep, with lots of food props, owls and beautiful costumes and I managed a small team to get it done in time - it looked incredible in the end. I think even now it’s up there with my most favourite project.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT SO FAR AS AN ARTIST?
I know this sounds a bit silly, but being actually paid and surviving as an artist is one of the most amazing feelings and probably one of my most personal achievements. I spent many years working two or more jobs and grafting for opportunities, scrambling for money to pay for my ‘hobbies’, so it genuinely feels amazing to be confidently presenting myself as an artist and having those opportunities come to me more and more.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON CURRENTLY?
I am actually creating a big three-piece interactive mural for End of the Road festival in Dorset called James and the Giant’s Garden where I have my own wonderful team helping bring it to life. I’m so excited to venture into the world of murals and put my work out there more as an independent artist. I’m also making more ceramic works such as hand-illustrated tiles for interior use and sculptures, so we will see where this leads me.
