Jordan Kerwick

Artist
Jordan Kerwick
Exhibition
New Works
Year
2017

With upcoming solo shows in Los Angeles, Cologne and London, we feel pretty lucky to have a selection of Jordy Kerwick's grungy glam still life paintings hanging in our showroom. Read the full interview with this painter-ingenue and peruse the works online or in-store.

Music plays a big role in preparation and process of painting. So quite often I’ll take a line and repeat it in my head a zillion times and the feeling off the back of this line will impact the outcome.

— Jordy Kerwick

Q&A with Jordy Kerwick

Why did you take up painting?

Initially, I started painting as a cathartic exercise to take my mind our of work. I get a bit obsessive about things I enjoy, so decided to paint every day. My beautiful wife bought me paints and canvas and I jumped straight into it. I had already done a lot of reading about modern greats: Matisse, Frankenthaler, Kline all seemed so attune to their trade, and it felt like the appropriate progression to art history. In addition to this, Im a bit of a home bod so was pretty stoked to surround myself with little family, good music and two Schnauzers!

Can you tell us more about your subjects (and their great titles!)?

I've always enjoyed looking at still life paintings, flowers and vases in particular. So this subject matter become a primary focal point. It all seemed and felt too pretty, so in an effort to create a truer depiction of life and some of its harsher realities, I included the odd cigarette and prescription pill. So depending on your mood, you might resonate to the lower part of the painting, conversely, if you're feeling pretty content, the upper aspects of the painting might be more appealing. The objects and form can also play an almost insignificant role in the painting, as I really enjoy playing around with palettes, depending on the mood Im in. Music plays a big role in preparation and process of painting. So quite often I'll take a line and repeat it in my head a zillion times and the feeling off the back of this line will impact the outcome. So the titles generally are take from songs or edited versions of a line from a song.

What artists/creatives inspire you?

My wife, my sons, music and mood. I think some of the better paintings I've done have been off the back of being in a putrid mood, so am compelled to paint when I'm feeling weird.

What gives you joy?

Great question. Garlic bread, delivery of new books/CDs from Amazon, my son running into our bedroom in the morning, a moment of peace (rare as hens' teeth), Sunday drives with the fam, my dogs, finding new artists to follow.