Join Standard Goods during April Second Thursday Capitol Hill Art Walk on April 12th from 6:30 - 9:30 for " Exploring My Mark" by Jorden Heidal.
We are excited to host Jorden as our featured artist for the month of April. She is a self-taught visual artist based here in Seattle. Her work primarily focuses on bold abstract paintings using acrylic inks, pastels, watercolors, spray paint, and design pens. Jorden works to portray her journey in a way that has never been seen before, making each piece it's own personal experience for both herself and her audience. Get a peek into her creative process in the interview below!
Tell us a little about yourself? How did art find you?
I am an abstract mixed media artist who has born and raised in Spokane, WA and has been living in Seattle now for the past 5 years. I was lucky enough to be introduced to art at a very young age. I loved to paint and draw and even submitted a few drawings to some children's magazines to get featured. My grandmother and godfather were a huge supporters in my art growing up; getting me supplies and sending me to art classes. I lost my connection to my creativity and my art until my mid 20's. When I finally took the time to become more mindful of myself and my life I learned art was not only a passion of mine but it was a necessity for my happiness. From then on I have been completely engulfed and self-taught in my practice. I originally only worked with acrylic paint on canvas, but now I work with acrylics, canvas, paper, watercolors, pastels, spray paint, and design pens and I'm always experimenting to see where my creativity will take me. I work to create art every day and although I lost touch to my creativity at one point I can't even imagine my life without art now.
How is your personality reflected in your work?
It allows me to create something that has essentially never been seen before. Nothing is concrete or binary in my work. I love talking with people who view my work to get their feedback on what they see and what they feel. Often the interpretations from my audience is different from what I felt when creating it. I'm not necessarily trying to express my personality in my work for my audience to interpret, I'm trying to make each piece its own personal experience for both my audience and myself.
Where do you source inspiration from? Do you keep a sketchbook?
I primarily draw inspiration from my personal journey and my interaction with the world around me. I love the challenge of expressing new ideas and often explore the mountains of Washington or interact with other creatives to find new inspiration. I have many creative friends and family members who are musicians, chefs, painters, actors, poets, designers and ceramicists all who inspire, support, and encourage me through my practice. They all express their story and feelings in such unique ways and it inspires me to continue my own expression and aim to reach new boundaries of what I can do with my art. I started an art journal last September and it's now a part of my daily routine. It's something that has really helped me grow as a self-taught artist in practicing new techniques and expression. I keep images of my journal updated on my website and my Instagram.
What themes are influencing your work currently?
Considering I have only been practicing art as I am now for the past two years, I find the themes of my work continually evolving. Wherever I am physically and mentally is a reflection of my work. Whether I saw a play the night before, I'm in the mountains exploring a new trail, or spending some quality time alone on Alki Beach, the themes of my work are a representation of my present state. Exploring My Mark is a representation of my most recent reshaping phase in my creative process. As I found a new path with new intentions in my personal life, my art took a drastic visual change as well. I became much more intentional with my marks and choices, and was able to tell a more personal expression in my work.
Your paintings are so beautifully expressive! Do you experience a gut feeling when something "works" in a painting or doesn't work? How do you know when a painting is finished?
I go into each piece with a general idea of what I want. I take into consideration the color, composition, influence, marks, etc. I usually work on multiple pieces at once so that my mind isn't stuck on one piece for too long. I love to return to ongoing pieces to look at them with a fresh view, adding and changing as I go, and seeing what ideas work or not. This helps my process of ultimately finding closure with each piece. Working through the creative process to a finished product is never consistent and I am always learning more with each art session.
5 things that make up your perfect day?
Any one of these listed items can make my day amazing, and they are in no order or favor:
1. Waking up with my boyfriend Cole and having breakfast together before we go on our weekend hike
2. Stopping by a museum or exhibit to see the newest art installations
3. Art session that lasts a good five hours with my favorite music playing, a ton of mediums, a huge canvas, and zero distractions
4. Dinner and drinks with friends talking about art plans and our next adventure
5. Seeing some kind of art show whether that's a play, a poetry reading, a new movie, or a concert
What's on your current music playlist?
I have some shared playlists with some creatives that we all update so my music changes a lot. Recently I've been listening to a lot of SiR, Frank Ocean, SZA, Alabama Shakes, and Mura Masa.
If you were an ice cream flavor what would you be?
Mystery flavor :)
At earlier points in your life when you were first finding your own style as an artist were there any artists that influenced or changed your perception of what art could be?
Frida Kahlo has always been a huge inspiration for me. The way her paintings show feeling and emotion leave me speechless. I can only dream to be able to express the way that she does in her paintings. She was such a resilient and amazing woman who truly inspires me to be strong and confident in myself and in my work.
And if you can describe your upcoming work in three words, what would they be?
Bold • Intentional • Energetic
Anything else you would like to share?
I am so excited to be showing my Exploring My Mark show with Standard Goods and I honored to be showcased alongside the beautiful Ali Byland, thank you!
3 comments
I saw this persons work at a show last summer and it was remarkable. The art is vibrant and the composition of each individual piece held my interest for a long time. I found myself going back to most all of them several times for another look. There were many works that could stand alone or command a room or wall as a set. I will make a trip out to this show to see what is new!
Wonderful
Wonderful