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Interview with Artist - JENNY MONICK

August 05, 2019

MDLF: What is your name?

JM: Jenny Sprague Monick

MDLF: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

JM: Impossible

MDLF: Where do you live? Which cities do you most frequently go to and why? Are you more drawn to one place or culture?

JM: I live in Brooklyn, NY.  I most frequently visit Los Angeles, CA.  I feel best near enormous bodies of water and at cultural crossroads.

MDLF: If you can, tell us three things that bring you joy

JM: Joy is a capital letter word - it could be anything, so I can’t tell, really.

Name Of Piece: Still life with yellowSize of piece: 11 x 14"Medium: Oil on linenPhotographed by: Paul TakeuchiLocation, Year: New York, NY 2017

Name Of Piece: Still life with yellow

Size of piece: 11 x 14"

Medium: Oil on linen

Photographed by: Paul Takeuchi

Location, Year: New York, NY 2017

MDLF: Can you tell us about any artist or person living or dead that inspires you.

JM: Most of my love goes to Piet Mondrian, who was also a Pisces, clearly.  What is left over, which is a lot, goes to many many artists and other people, animals, plants, acts of nature, celestial bodies, etc.

MDLF: When did you first identify being an artist? When did you start creating?  Did you foresee a creative path in your childhood?

JM: My childhood bedroom was my first creation.  A furtive, almost invisible Total Work of Art, I did what I could, as it needed to appear a proper bedroom to the adults who were a little too frequently dropping by.  I didn’t want to have to answer any questions.

I also had a dollhouse (the ‘family’ was quickly dispatched to sit amongst some broken furniture in the attic, they felt a little creepy and irrelevant) and in the house we lived in, any shelf, closet, toolbench, or cupboard I could arrange and rearrange was an expressive opportunity.  

Later, visiting the old MoMA, when I was 12 or so, the room with the Water Lilies, The Japanese Footbridge, a grey low pile carpet, and leather and wood benches along a full wall of windows facing North.  It was perfect. It was a perfect room, a Poetic Image, I understood, despite knowing nothing formally about what any of it was. Unfortunately my enthusiasm was taken as an interest in French Impressionism, which it decidedly was not.  But I still have a poster of the Monet in this same childhood bedroom, in the house my parents have lived in since I was born. And from then on I felt on a path.

Name Of Piece: LiningSize of piece: 15 x 23"Medium: C-printPhotographed by: Gedi SibonyLocation, Year: 2001, Long Island, NY,

Name Of Piece: Lining

Size of piece: 15 x 23"

Medium: C-print

Photographed by: Gedi Sibony

Location, Year: 2001, Long Island, NY,

MDLF: How often do you create? What motivates you to keep practicing?

JM: Not sure.  

MDLF: What challenges have you been met with while moving through a work in progress?

JM: It is all a challenge.  It’s knowing when the difficulty is clear, and when it is unclear.  If I can get a grip on what the problem is, I can probably solve it.  If I’m not sure what the problem is, I’m pretty lost. Which is fine too, for a while… 

MDLF: What accomplishments are you most proud of?

JM: For one, my work with children.  I was at one time the curator of a gallery set up to display children’s art made at public schools receiving grants from a particular not-for-profit.  The openings were a gas and thrilling and also very moving. Pint sized dressed up artists and their adults….  

MDLF: Can you share with us your creative process? Where does your mind go, what is your creative space like, what are your go-to-tools, when is a piece finished?

JM: Do you know the one about the dancing centipede and the jealous daddy long legs?  It’s like being both. 

Name Of Piece: Stilll life with songsSize of piece: VariableMedium: Cassette player and cassette tapePhotographed by: Veli-Matti HoikkaLocation, Year: Reserve Ames, Los Angeles, CA, 2017

Name Of Piece: Stilll life with songs

Size of piece: Variable

Medium: Cassette player and cassette tape

Photographed by: Veli-Matti Hoikka

Location, Year: Reserve Ames, Los Angeles, CA, 2017


MDLF: Did you go to art school? If so, what are your thoughts on its effect on your art and process, Would you recommend it for others?
JM: No.  I often wish I had, and as often I am glad I didn’t!  I took classes as an undergrad at Columbia and then later night classes, Continuing Education at Cooper Union, which were taught by recent MFA graduates from Yale.  Meanwhile I worked for artists. Those jobs were helpful, too, to see how it all works, privately and professionally. Later I was an early childhood art teacher. That is where I picked up the most inspiring informative/formative stuff.   I think art school is probably a good idea…it is really hard to say.


MDLF: Can you describe your first painting/piece that defined your style of painting?  How about your favorite work/piece/or show, how long did it take, what was your process, and where can we see it?

JM: Not sure.

MDLF: What is your perception of gender?

JM: I mean...I’m extremely glad this notion is being pried open…peeled, eviscerated, even. 

Name Of Piece: Still life with applesSize of piece: variableMedium: Apples and feltPhotographed by: Veli-Matti HoikkaLocation, Year: Reserve Ames, Los Angeles, CA, 2017

Name Of Piece: Still life with apples

Size of piece: variable

Medium: Apples and felt

Photographed by: Veli-Matti Hoikka

Location, Year: Reserve Ames, Los Angeles, CA, 2017

MDLF: What does Masculine de La Femme mean to you? Can you apply this meaning to your art or lifestyle?

JM: Language is a tough nut.  


MDLF: Is your work changing in the current political climate? How so?

JM: Well, we are in some kind of wilderness, here…

…Work-wise, climate is the question, for me, more than political.  I wonder a LOT about - things - facture - do I need to make it physical, material, do I need to make it at all - I am a dedicated winnower - , especially now as we are sort of drowning in stuff… Noah Purifoy - … I think about him - just as a starting point… What is value?  What is of value?


MDLF: If you could sit down with your younger self, what would you say?  What learning experience can you share with young women looking to be an artist or figuring out where they are needed most?

JM: Read Uses of the Erotic:The Erotic as Power by Audre Lorde, and re-read often.

Pin up the Immaculate Heart College Art Department Rules, somewhere prominent.

MDLF: Where can we view more of your work?

JM: jennymonick.com

Artist, Jenny MonickPhotography by Dan Monick , all shot on black and white filmArt Direction and Wardrobe Styling by Monica ReyesFeatured Brands : Elsa Esturgie, Pas de Calais, Mixed Business

Artist, Jenny Monick

Photography by Dan Monick , all shot on black and white film

Art Direction and Wardrobe Styling by Monica Reyes

Featured Brands : Elsa Esturgie, Pas de Calais, Mixed Business

Tags: Jenny Monick, Dan Monick, Monica Reyes, Masculine de La FEMME, Masculine de la femme, Moon Reyes, Elsa Esturgie, Pas de Calais, Mixed Business, Los Angeles, Cash Machine, Featured Artist, Female Artist Interview, Artist Series, Artist Interview, Female Artists, New York Artist, 35mm film, Black And White Photography, BW Photography, Film Only, Artists to Watch
Prev / Next
  • 2017
    • Mar 20, 2017 Masculine de La FEMME short film featured at the Montalban Theatre
    • Jun 23, 2017 Mieka Tennant, a Heart Of Gold : Interviewed by Ariana Coyle and Monica Reyes
  • 2018
    • Jan 22, 2018 Christina Acevedo Interview "Heaven Scent"
    • Jan 27, 2018 Maria Clara Macrì - Featured Artist from Italy, Reggio Emilia
    • Feb 20, 2018 Featured Artist Interview of Floyd Zion
    • Apr 4, 2018 Interview of Gallerist, Curator, and Publisher : MIYUKI KAWABE of Commune Press + Gallery
    • May 6, 2018 Interview with BUCKLEY
  • 2019
    • Jul 15, 2019 Interview with Photographer - Chris Singer
    • Aug 5, 2019 Interview with Artist - JENNY MONICK

IN THE NEWS


  • 2018
    • Jan 3, 2018 INTO ACTION POP-UP ART EXHIBITION JAN. 13 - 21
  • 2017
    • Sep 1, 2017 Be INSPIRED! Magazine : Masculine de La FEMME Interview by Noemi Minami and Jun Shiratama
    • Sep 1, 2017 YES! Journal : Wonder Woman Series , Interviewed by Alex Birch
    • Aug 10, 2017 Obey x Debbie Harry's 1st Pop Up Store on Melrose
    • Mar 20, 2017 SHE IS // #FREETHESHE by Vida de Castro
    • Mar 14, 2017 Buy Masculine de La FEMME Zines now at Cash Machine!
    • Mar 6, 2017 WE CHOOSE ART - A FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE - Featured Visual Art by Masculine de La FEMME
    • Mar 6, 2017 MDLF Portrait of Mstr of Disguise in DISFUNKSHION Magazine March '17 Issue!
    • Feb 23, 2017 PRINTED MATTER x LA ART BOOK FAIR x GEFFEN CONTEMPORARY AT MOCA
    • Feb 1, 2017 Womens March LA and DC #FREETHESHE
    • Jan 31, 2017 Hunger Magazine Interviews Dan Monick about 35mm film and MDLF
    • Jan 31, 2017 Lucie Foundation Selects Masculine de La FEMME for MOPLA
    • Jan 13, 2017 "SHE IS" GOING TO THE WOMEN'S MARCH IN DC and LA A Portion of the Proceeds goes to Planned Parenthood
  • 2016
    • Dec 26, 2016 Rachael Larkin, demonstrates "Pussy Power"
    • Dec 26, 2016 Art Pop-Up Shop + Holiday Soiree at Now Space Gallery Co-curated by Monica Reyes
    • Dec 12, 2016 DAN MONICK'S SILK DEGREES SOLO SHOW AT SHOWBOAT GALLERY
    • Dec 5, 2016 Briana Evigan , releases new most talked about gender-switch role film "Love Is All You Need?" and "TOY"

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