Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Trierweiler.
Janet, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My grandparents were very influential to me. They were resourceful, creatively active individuals. They stayed with us in the summers when I was growing up. My Grandmother taught me to crochet when I was very young. My Grandfather was a Bricklayer, always fixing things and taking care of our house. He taught me how to play cards. They had great energy. When they were around, I could relax, feel safe and cared for. My Grandfather was from Sweden, he never said too much but he was funny, loving and always pleasant company.
When they left, after summer, family life was traumatic. I was hyper-observant and in survival mode much of the time. I found solace in nature, drawing, music and working with my hands. Difficulties, over time, became transformed through creative activity.
The things that I’ve kept and love to have near me are handmade. Paintings by my Father, pillows and purses by my Grandmother, carved wood horses by my Grandfather and the oodles of drawings, paintings and ceramics by my Daughters. These things carry the spirit in which they were made. It’s no wonder that I married an Artist. He’s an inspiring painter and makes beautiful furniture from reclaimed materials. We created a collaborative practice together, producing a large body of work, leading us into surprising new territory.
I’ve followed the thread of Art History with a deep interest in Artist’s biographies. I feel a kinship to Artists of the past. Many of these Artists, like Joseph Beuys and Agnes Martin were Shamanistic and I admire them for who they were as much as I love their work.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Painting for me is active imagination, process, expression, love and order within one unified whole. All this activity is what gives paintings their timeless vitality. Invisible energy becomes visible. Whether painting figurative or abstract, there are all these relationships happening, with a need for an immediate response. This becomes a two-dimensional, colorful dance. I let the work move through me, while also stepping away to check on its progress. I find the most important step in the dance is to catch the painting when it happens and walk away! If I stay around too long, the intellect will come in to kill the painting. I want to leave my work in a state of “before completion”(I Ching Hexagram 64). Completion being something I already know, before completion allows the painting to take me somewhere I have never been. The fluidity of the paint, like life, is always on the threshold of change and then I catch something happening that captures my attention and appreciation.
Do current events, local or global, affect your work and what you are focused on?
Well, if a painting captures your imagination. We’ve made a human connection, that’s a good place to start. I hope the paintings remind people of their human spirit, playfulness and joy.
Painting in an expressive way is all about using unconscious energy in a positive way. Frankly, I don’t want to venture in to the unconscious of a “leader” who spews negativity indiscriminately online. There is no beauty or inspiration there. I work with children who know more about self-control. When you feel the children need to be protected from the disturbing words and actions of the leader of the country, something is terribly wrong. In the past we had inspiration to guide us. I try to look to inspiration, healing words and deeds to guide me.
I was overjoyed, watching Obama give a State of the Union address with my daughter. I cannot remember his words exactly but he spoke of disarming fear and using the power of love to heal.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Upcoming Exhibitions:
July 2018 Vivid Gallery, 895 GREEN BAY ROAD Winnetka, IL
July 2018 Over the Rainbow Gallery, 2040 Brown Avenue, Evanston, IL
Become a Patron – Receive monthly, New Work newsletter and Patron discounts on artwork. Every little bit helps!
https://www.patreon.com/janettrierweiler?alert=2
Purchase original works and limited-edition prints
http://www.janettrierweiler.com
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.janettrierweiler.com
- Phone: 847-274-6315
- Email: janettrierweiler@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtrierweilerart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janettrierweilervisualarts/?ref=settings
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/janettrierweiler
Image Credit:
Randy Heller
Matthew Schaefer
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