CARMINE MAGAZINE

Carmine Magazine: How would you define your style?
Jessica McCourt: That’s a very tough question. I have a terrible time with words, especially when asked to describe my “style.” I’ll leave that up to the viewer to decide… or someone better with words.

CM: What things inspire and influence you and your artwork?
JM: A great sleu of things impact myself and what I create. I adore art nouveau, Marie Antoinette stylings, Japanese culture, nature, colors… inspiration comes from every direction for me. I can see a color on a building that I want to use or the languid look of a nude from the 1850’s… It’s a whirlwhind I can hardly keep track of.

CM: Do you listen to music when you create? Describe your perfect creative work environment.
JM: Yes. Painting in silence is always an odd experience for me. Sometimes I listen to the same album over and over while I work on something. It creates a kind of soundtrack for the piece.
Mostly I listen to whatever I feel like - whatever my mood dictates. Recently, I’ve found myself listening to “Grails” album, “Black Tar Prophecy”… and then something completely different such as “Brazillian Girls.”

CM: What mediums do you work in the most? Why do you use them?
JM: Currently I’m working in watercolor ( with a little bit a gouache in places.) I’m still learning how to work with it, but I enjoy it immensely. Oils, however, still sound appealing. It’s been a while since I painted in them, but I love them too. Sometimes it can be difficult to stay focused on one medium.

CM: Name a few of your favorite artists.
JM: There are so many. Some of my current favorites is Heiko Muller, Audrey Kawasaki, various Japanese woodblock artists ( from the 19th century to early 20th century,) Camille Rose Garcia, Erin Frost, Collette Calascione, James Jean… The list could go on and on!

CM: If there was one style of art that you could take up what would it be?
JM: I’ve always wanted to have the skills of realism under my belt. It seems like some kind of alchemy to me. With that “magic” I could imagine branching off into many more wonderful things.

Find Jessica’s work at these places on the web:
Official Site
Anaisred on Livejournal
Myspace

Some artwork from Jessica McCourt:

Jessica painting on her porch.