In the past I have found it difficult to explain my artwork. I often relate it to genres such as psychedelia, sci-fi, surrealism and fantasy. I have always had a very active and visual imagination. Therefore my main source of inspiration comes from the images that appear in my head. When I focus on my art I go to a place where I can see surreal worlds filled with strange creatures. I don’t know if what I am seeing is a manifestation of my emotions, my subconscious or something else. Never the less I try to bring to life what I see and feel inside. From that place I can best express myself through my art.
Living with anxiety and depression can be overwhelming at times. My art is where I go to release the terrible things I'm feeling. These feelings manifest themselves in many ways. Often they appear as light or dark beings. I express my love/light through the butterfly and I create demons from the fear/darkness I feel inside.
Just like the images in my mind are not visible to others the same can apply for mental illness. Often mental illnesses are not visible on the surface. My artwork helps me visualize and release what I am feeling inside. These images are begging to be brought to life so others can experience them. They are healing for me, they are not always pretty and may appear dark at times; but that is the truth of what is inside. I know others feel the way I do and my artwork acts as a way to communicate what I carry inside.
The piece I titled “19” is a true reflection of my pain. I wanted to create my version of a self-portrait. I used an old picture of me for reference and began to paint imagery representative of my most painful feelings. I surrounded myself with demons all wanting to scar me and take me away from love/light. However the focus of this piece is not on the fear/darkness I carry. The focus is on the hope I carry. The white butterfly represents my love and hope for a brighter future. It is what I look for in hard times, the one thing that motivates me to never give up and to remember who I am. It reminds me of what is important, and what is real. I use it in my art as a focal point, as a message. The message being that no matter how much darkness surrounds you, there is always hope. There is always light to be found and there is always love waiting for you.
~ Jago
