Jon Parlangeli -Featured Artist Interview 2022

www.jonparlangeli.com or Instagram: @painterjon303

1) Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I was born on the East Coast, but spent most of my life in and around Detroit. It does not affect my work in any meaningful way though.

2) Who are your biggest artistic influences?

Back in the day it was Picasso, de Kooning and all of the Abstract Impressionists and German Expressionists. These days I have moved closer to Impressionists such as Van Gogh and so on. To me any artist who experiments with their medium, who challenges the medium can and will become an influence to one degree or another.

3) Tell me about your favorite medium.

OIL! There is nothing like its color, its luster and its slow dry time that allows for happy accidents when overpainting. The smell is intoxicating to me as if it signals impending creativity to my inner self.

4) Where do you find inspiration?

Nature first and foremost is the greatest artist. I just follow suit. Other worldly matters tend to creep in as subliminal subject matter, or as I refer to it as a subliminal historic bibliophile.

5) When is your favorite time of day to create?

In the mornings after my first coffee or late in the evenings. Both times my mind is clear and tends to wander into creative thoughts. By mid-day the world has crept in and interferes with my creative process!

6) Describe how art is important to society.

Humanity is a toxic, mixed up, selfish and seriously damaged subset within the animal kingdom. Art to me is one of the only things that circumvents that severe opinion and shows what can be good within the human condition. It shows raw emotion, purity, sanctity, and closeness to the metaphysical spiritual self.

7) What motivates you to create?

Breathing. 😊

8) Do you have a favorite color?

I want to say green or blue.

9) How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a job, family, and other things demanding of your time?

I’ve always worked and been with my wife for 26 years. A spouse or a boss will not always understand the need for studio time. There has to be a delicate balance created for all of this and discipline to continue studio practice. Lots of nights, weekends and stealing long lunches to paint!

10) What are you working on at the moment?

I am preparing for two shows in Asia, one in Hong Kong and the other in Singapore in 2023. These solo shows will be figurative works and possibly a landscape/floral or two dotted in. In between I am wandering the State when I can looking for landscape scenes to paint!

11) How do you stay connected and up to date with the art world?

I work a lot and am seriously reclusive. I rely a ton on social media if I cannot make it to a show!

12) How do you know when a work is finished?

It is just a feeling. Some sense of satisfaction that comes over me. That’s said, I can pick up the same piece a year later and start over on it! To me there is only a beginning and never an end. My clients only ever get the work at the stage I was last satisfied with.

13) Do you have any exhibitions/shows, etc., coming up?

I have work up at Hatch now for Hatchback 16, am applying to some local things, but the only larger things I am planning for are my shows in Asia with SHOUT Gallery. I will have 25-30 paintings showing at two of their locations, one after the other, in Hong Kong and then Singapore in 2023. We have not worked out which month, only 2nd quarter of the year.

14) How useful has social media been for you?

Very. Social media is integral to an artist’s success these days. It is definitely a necessary evil.

15)What do you think of NFT’s and the market that seems to be exploding for them?

I’m not interested at this point. Seems like a fad to me, but I’m very sure since the world is moving so far ahead digitally that they are here to stay. For now, I will only be making them if a gallery requests.

16) What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?

Sticking with it in the face of all perceived failures, challenges, etc. That takes courage.

17) What advice do you have to give other aspiring artists?

Don’t ask for other people’s opinions about your work, don’t get too much of an ego because it can be easily shattered, and stay disciplined. Remember, making art is what is important. The feelings during the creative process, the joy, the sorrow, the security, and insecurity of it all…the whole process is pure emotion and its all yours. Know one can challenge that or take if from you and that it the true reward of making. Showing and selling art is also important and rewarding, but do not even compare to the creative process itself. Focus on that and then let the chips fall where they may.

18) What advice do you have to give to people who feel like they are “not creative”?

Everyone is creative in their own way. It is not just picking up a brush, a hammer, a musical instrument or what have you. Everyone is creative in their chosen field whether you’re mopping the floors, putting out a fire or painting a masterpiece. They all have their own way, own style, so my best advice is to truly be yourself. Don’t be what you see on social media.

19) Where can people go to see more of your work?

The best place is my website: www.jonparlangeli.com or Instagram: @painterjon303