My OperaWell come Back
Wednesday, September 5, 2007 4:29:58 PM
for all people artcoholic
nice tu meet u
ell us a bit about yourself?
Jonathan Terranova aka Jist. Born in Queens, NY. Moved out east on Long Island. Moved back to Queens to attend 1 year of college at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Transferred to Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL where I will receive my B.F.A in April. Then back to New York where I will be getting my M.F.A in Painting. I have two schools in Manhattan that I am waiting to hear back from.
How long have you been doing your stuff?
I have been into art since I can remember. My mother told me a story where she had to check my backpack for spray paint and markers before I went to school in Kindergarten. I guess you can blame that on my older brother.....ha. Him and his friend got me into the art of graffiti at a
really young age. I was writing “Bomb” on the playground with crayolas at 5. It has evolved as I am mostly painting now, but the influence never left.
What is your influence and inspiration?
I've been influenced by a lot of people. From great traditional painters to Graff' artists and friends. Willem deKooning, Helen Frankenthaler, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Philip Guston, Joan Mitchell, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Barry "Twist" McGee, Jeffrey "Doze" Green, Ryan McGinness, Matt Mahler, Christine Kane, Lisa DiStefano, Doug Olen, Daim, Loomit, Seen, Futura, Ces, T-Kid, Cope, Seak, the list goes on and on. As for inspiration; I am inspired by anything and everything. From my girlfriend, Gia to the homeless person on the corner and everything in between.
Did you go to art school? Do you think it's important for an artist to have art educational background?
I did go to an art school for a year. I transferred to a liberal arts school because they had a stained glass program that nobody else offered. I am also going to get my Masters. I do not think it is necessary, but if you are financially capable and you want to pursue this as a professional, then I think it is important. I also understand that this is not for everyone.
Some people may not be cut out for college. I think you have to be in the right state of mind to do this or you will not get anything out of it. You get out of school what you put into it. You can also be a successful artist without going to art school. I friend of mine, Scott Jehl, is an amazing web designer and he learned all of it without taking any web design classes. If you have the drive to do something, you will. School does not necessarily guarantee you a successful art career, but it opens doors, puts you in a creative environment, helps you to network, etc.
What do you think about streetartist doing a commission/client works?
It becomes tricky I think. If you can keep your integrity and your artistic vision then it is not a problem. I design and develop web sites that have nothing to do with my personal work, but I can still be creative in what I do. So it depends on what you are doing and who you are doing it for. I also think big businesses have exploited graffiti, but that is another story.
From all of your clients works, which one is the most interesting and why is that?
I actually designed a stained glass window for the largest Absolut Vodka Art Collector in the world. That was interesting. It was my first real commission and I was not entirely sure if what I was doing was legal since I used a trademarked name, but I did it anyway. Also the whole process of making stained glass windows was still new, so it was very exciting.
From all of your shows & exhibition, which one is the most interesting and why is that?
I have not had shows like some other, more prominent street artists have. So I do not have any wild stories, but my first exhibition that featured just my stained glass works was a great show. Mainly because I sold the first window I ever made and it was to one of the largest art collectors in the South East. I was 19, so it felt good knowing I was on the right track.
Do you have any dream project you really like to work on?
I would really like to set up some public exhibition in NYC. Just get a bunch of street artists and myself to work outside while Aesop Rock and Atmosphere are tearin' it up on the mic. Have people just hang out, listen to great music, watching great art being done, and have fun. Almost like a concert/ block party/ performance art type thing. Then keep the works up for a few weeks and auction them off to give the money to a charity that supports the arts. That would be nice. I'll work on it. I'll keep you updated.....
Besides painting, what else do you enjoy doing?
Going to Broadway shows with my girlfriend. Discussing contemporary art with friends. Watching italian soccer games in certain coffee shops in Queens (It reminds me of my childhood). Taveling; I will be in Italy, Spain, France & Croatia this summer. Cooking. Working out.
What kind of music do you like?
I listen to Hip-Hop, Reggae, House, it depends on the situation, but mostly Hip-Hop. To name a few: Aesop Rock, Atmosphere, Blackalicious, Eyedea & Abilities, Immortal Technique, Artifacts, Chino XL, Psicobabble, Bad Karma, Jean Grae and DJ's like RJD2.
Ever been to Indonesia?
I have never been to Indonesia, but I would definitely love to go. I have seen some images on the internet from the group of artists called Apotik Komik. Hopefully I will be able to see them in person one day.
Website/email/contact number:
www.jonathanterranova.com
jist@jonathanterranova.com
JIST will be having his exhebition in St. Augustine, FL on April 17-21 2006.. go to this link for more info:
http://www.jonathanterranova.com/carrerashow.html
Also check this video to see the progression of JIST painting..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=n4cSjmfZADs
nice tu meet u
ell us a bit about yourself?
Jonathan Terranova aka Jist. Born in Queens, NY. Moved out east on Long Island. Moved back to Queens to attend 1 year of college at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Transferred to Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL where I will receive my B.F.A in April. Then back to New York where I will be getting my M.F.A in Painting. I have two schools in Manhattan that I am waiting to hear back from.
How long have you been doing your stuff?
I have been into art since I can remember. My mother told me a story where she had to check my backpack for spray paint and markers before I went to school in Kindergarten. I guess you can blame that on my older brother.....ha. Him and his friend got me into the art of graffiti at a
really young age. I was writing “Bomb” on the playground with crayolas at 5. It has evolved as I am mostly painting now, but the influence never left.
What is your influence and inspiration?
I've been influenced by a lot of people. From great traditional painters to Graff' artists and friends. Willem deKooning, Helen Frankenthaler, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Philip Guston, Joan Mitchell, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Barry "Twist" McGee, Jeffrey "Doze" Green, Ryan McGinness, Matt Mahler, Christine Kane, Lisa DiStefano, Doug Olen, Daim, Loomit, Seen, Futura, Ces, T-Kid, Cope, Seak, the list goes on and on. As for inspiration; I am inspired by anything and everything. From my girlfriend, Gia to the homeless person on the corner and everything in between.
Did you go to art school? Do you think it's important for an artist to have art educational background?
I did go to an art school for a year. I transferred to a liberal arts school because they had a stained glass program that nobody else offered. I am also going to get my Masters. I do not think it is necessary, but if you are financially capable and you want to pursue this as a professional, then I think it is important. I also understand that this is not for everyone.
Some people may not be cut out for college. I think you have to be in the right state of mind to do this or you will not get anything out of it. You get out of school what you put into it. You can also be a successful artist without going to art school. I friend of mine, Scott Jehl, is an amazing web designer and he learned all of it without taking any web design classes. If you have the drive to do something, you will. School does not necessarily guarantee you a successful art career, but it opens doors, puts you in a creative environment, helps you to network, etc.
What do you think about streetartist doing a commission/client works?
It becomes tricky I think. If you can keep your integrity and your artistic vision then it is not a problem. I design and develop web sites that have nothing to do with my personal work, but I can still be creative in what I do. So it depends on what you are doing and who you are doing it for. I also think big businesses have exploited graffiti, but that is another story.
From all of your clients works, which one is the most interesting and why is that?
I actually designed a stained glass window for the largest Absolut Vodka Art Collector in the world. That was interesting. It was my first real commission and I was not entirely sure if what I was doing was legal since I used a trademarked name, but I did it anyway. Also the whole process of making stained glass windows was still new, so it was very exciting.
From all of your shows & exhibition, which one is the most interesting and why is that?
I have not had shows like some other, more prominent street artists have. So I do not have any wild stories, but my first exhibition that featured just my stained glass works was a great show. Mainly because I sold the first window I ever made and it was to one of the largest art collectors in the South East. I was 19, so it felt good knowing I was on the right track.
Do you have any dream project you really like to work on?
I would really like to set up some public exhibition in NYC. Just get a bunch of street artists and myself to work outside while Aesop Rock and Atmosphere are tearin' it up on the mic. Have people just hang out, listen to great music, watching great art being done, and have fun. Almost like a concert/ block party/ performance art type thing. Then keep the works up for a few weeks and auction them off to give the money to a charity that supports the arts. That would be nice. I'll work on it. I'll keep you updated.....
Besides painting, what else do you enjoy doing?
Going to Broadway shows with my girlfriend. Discussing contemporary art with friends. Watching italian soccer games in certain coffee shops in Queens (It reminds me of my childhood). Taveling; I will be in Italy, Spain, France & Croatia this summer. Cooking. Working out.
What kind of music do you like?
I listen to Hip-Hop, Reggae, House, it depends on the situation, but mostly Hip-Hop. To name a few: Aesop Rock, Atmosphere, Blackalicious, Eyedea & Abilities, Immortal Technique, Artifacts, Chino XL, Psicobabble, Bad Karma, Jean Grae and DJ's like RJD2.
Ever been to Indonesia?
I have never been to Indonesia, but I would definitely love to go. I have seen some images on the internet from the group of artists called Apotik Komik. Hopefully I will be able to see them in person one day.
Website/email/contact number:
www.jonathanterranova.com
jist@jonathanterranova.com
JIST will be having his exhebition in St. Augustine, FL on April 17-21 2006.. go to this link for more info:
http://www.jonathanterranova.com/carrerashow.html
Also check this video to see the progression of JIST painting..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=n4cSjmfZADs
