Life and reality from an abstract perspective...
Do not just give Samo Jo's art a quick glance and think you have it figured out. You don't.
I first noticed his art 4 months ago. I did the quick glance at first. I figured: OK, another abstract artist. That quick glance was enough to get my attention. Houses and buildings combined with other objects and words placed Jo on my list of artists to keep track of. I had the chance to observe him several times. The one area I really paid attention to was how he interacted with people. Jo has no problem explaining the meaning of each piece. He is also open to other people's interpretation of it.
With the intro out of the way, time for the interesting first part! Hey, I am also an author. I have to keep you in suspense, don't I?
I first noticed his art 4 months ago. I did the quick glance at first. I figured: OK, another abstract artist. That quick glance was enough to get my attention. Houses and buildings combined with other objects and words placed Jo on my list of artists to keep track of. I had the chance to observe him several times. The one area I really paid attention to was how he interacted with people. Jo has no problem explaining the meaning of each piece. He is also open to other people's interpretation of it.
With the intro out of the way, time for the interesting first part! Hey, I am also an author. I have to keep you in suspense, don't I?
In his own words....
I had to start off with a basic, standard question.
How long have you been doing art? Jo: I have been doing it since I was 6 years old. I stared out by drawing Disney and Marvel Comics. The painting evolved when I was 15. I am 24 now. Pretty much all my life. When did you start taking it seriously? Jo: That happened in 9th grade. I had a plan to design t-shirts. To sell them to my peers and people at my school. Do you have any actual training? Did you learn anything on your own? Jo: I started learning at home. I had the basic principals taught to me around 6 or 7. You know, perspective, form and everything. I did attend art schools. I went to the Baum Art School (Allentown). My elementary school actually sent me there on a scholarship. Every year, Mr. Rickets (elementary art school instructor), let me know: "You have to represent Sheraton Elementary." Other than that, it's pretty much trial and error.
Basically, you are someone with a natural ability? Jo: Yeah, it's a gift.
I really wanted to find out about his current style. How would you describe your style and genre? Can you describe it? Jo: I want to say abstract. One term I have heard is "street art". Jo: Yeah, I am definitely a street artist. I try to reflect life on the street. The troubles but joys as well.
Jo is not afraid to admit he has been influenced by others.
Jo: I can't take full credit for my style. I studied the classic masters. Pretty much everything I have seen, I add my own little style to it. It's kind of what Bruce Lee did. He took all those styles (martial arts) and added his own. That's what I do: Jo style (with a grin and style!). I like it!
In addition to different styles and genres. Artists use different materials to create what you enjoy.
What different materials do you use? Jo: I use acrylics since the beginning of my painting. In the past year, I kind of switched to oil. Just to experiment with different textures. Whatever comes together to do it "Jo Style". Jo does not limit himself when it comes to materials.
Another, obvious, question: What inspires you? Jo: I read a lot of books, especially on painting. Look at a lot of magazines. Color inspires me! Sound inspires me, a whole lot. Pretty much anything visual. Sound, to me, is another way of viewing things. I might turn on the radio or tv. Hear a wolf howl. Have an idea to do a wolf pack or screaming in the night. I am inspired by life. That was actually my next question.
I have seen a lot of your paintings. You seem to do art from the soul. Jo: Yes, I do it from the soul. It's a gift and curse at times. I take things from my soul. The next soul would not understand it. I try to open it up so people can understand the personal side. A lot of times, it's open to the individual interpretation. I include words on a lot of my pieces. In today's modern day society, we still judge on appearances.
Jo: That's what I am talking about. What my words appear to say, may not be the meaning to me. I like to scatter my sentences. I have adopted a term from Jean Michael Basquiat: Boom For Real. I want all my pieces to set off bombs in your heart and mind. You want your work to be right in someone's face? Jo: Right, I feel the world "sugar coats" things too much.
On that stroke, the end of part 1. I am saving a special surprise for the beginning of part 2. Hint? open your mind, spirit and heart. That is for next week's edition.
Make sure you check out Jo and his creations. If you are in the Lehigh Valley, Pa area; stop by Alternative Gallery on 9th and Hamilton in Allentown. You never know, there is always a chance to see Jo creating....
https://www.facebook.com/AH18102
http://arthouse18102.com/
How long have you been doing art? Jo: I have been doing it since I was 6 years old. I stared out by drawing Disney and Marvel Comics. The painting evolved when I was 15. I am 24 now. Pretty much all my life. When did you start taking it seriously? Jo: That happened in 9th grade. I had a plan to design t-shirts. To sell them to my peers and people at my school. Do you have any actual training? Did you learn anything on your own? Jo: I started learning at home. I had the basic principals taught to me around 6 or 7. You know, perspective, form and everything. I did attend art schools. I went to the Baum Art School (Allentown). My elementary school actually sent me there on a scholarship. Every year, Mr. Rickets (elementary art school instructor), let me know: "You have to represent Sheraton Elementary." Other than that, it's pretty much trial and error.
Basically, you are someone with a natural ability? Jo: Yeah, it's a gift.
I really wanted to find out about his current style. How would you describe your style and genre? Can you describe it? Jo: I want to say abstract. One term I have heard is "street art". Jo: Yeah, I am definitely a street artist. I try to reflect life on the street. The troubles but joys as well.
Jo is not afraid to admit he has been influenced by others.
Jo: I can't take full credit for my style. I studied the classic masters. Pretty much everything I have seen, I add my own little style to it. It's kind of what Bruce Lee did. He took all those styles (martial arts) and added his own. That's what I do: Jo style (with a grin and style!). I like it!
In addition to different styles and genres. Artists use different materials to create what you enjoy.
What different materials do you use? Jo: I use acrylics since the beginning of my painting. In the past year, I kind of switched to oil. Just to experiment with different textures. Whatever comes together to do it "Jo Style". Jo does not limit himself when it comes to materials.
Another, obvious, question: What inspires you? Jo: I read a lot of books, especially on painting. Look at a lot of magazines. Color inspires me! Sound inspires me, a whole lot. Pretty much anything visual. Sound, to me, is another way of viewing things. I might turn on the radio or tv. Hear a wolf howl. Have an idea to do a wolf pack or screaming in the night. I am inspired by life. That was actually my next question.
I have seen a lot of your paintings. You seem to do art from the soul. Jo: Yes, I do it from the soul. It's a gift and curse at times. I take things from my soul. The next soul would not understand it. I try to open it up so people can understand the personal side. A lot of times, it's open to the individual interpretation. I include words on a lot of my pieces. In today's modern day society, we still judge on appearances.
Jo: That's what I am talking about. What my words appear to say, may not be the meaning to me. I like to scatter my sentences. I have adopted a term from Jean Michael Basquiat: Boom For Real. I want all my pieces to set off bombs in your heart and mind. You want your work to be right in someone's face? Jo: Right, I feel the world "sugar coats" things too much.
On that stroke, the end of part 1. I am saving a special surprise for the beginning of part 2. Hint? open your mind, spirit and heart. That is for next week's edition.
Make sure you check out Jo and his creations. If you are in the Lehigh Valley, Pa area; stop by Alternative Gallery on 9th and Hamilton in Allentown. You never know, there is always a chance to see Jo creating....
https://www.facebook.com/AH18102
http://arthouse18102.com/
