Jennifer Sánchez'sny.08.#7, 2008
Mixed mediums on canvas
30" x 40" x 1 1/2"

Ciao amici! For this week's artist interview I bring you some insight into 20x200 shining star Jennifer Sánchez.

It's clear from you participation in 20x200 that you're interested in making art available in affordable ways--what is your philosophy on this?
I just want anyone to be able to have some art; art isn't just for the elite/rich or something to be housed in a museum. The affordable prints are a gateway to even more art experiences.

The price of one print that you get to keep forever, equals admission for just one day to the MoMA, and I think that's ridiculous. There are a lot of barriers that established venues for art have built that intimidate the average joe. Jen's site makes it easy, friendly and fun.

How has participating in 20x200 helped your art career?
I've gotten a lot more traffic to my site! A Lot of people have signed on to join my email list and some have bought paintings.

What do you draw most of your inspiration from?
I like the idea of capturing movement, and awkward spaces that come from that motion.
My paintings tend to end up looking happy and optimistic; that's not necessarily my intent, but is what inevitably happens because I am attracted to bright, fluorescent and discordant color combinations.

I find interesting colors everywhere; on a t-shirt, plant or delivery truck. I bring those colors in to a painting and see what happens.

Who are your favorite painters?
I don't think I have an absolute favorite, depends what's going on around town. Lately I've seen amazing work by Juan Uslé, Thomas Nozkowski, Courbet, and Hillary Harkness. I really enjoy Beatriz Milhazes paintings, our work is similar and I love her over the top use of color and circles.

Do you have a favorite musician?
No favorites, but electronic music and jazz. I've always wanted to dissect a song and represent each sound with a shape. I think Miles Davis once said that it's the space between notes that are most important and I try to make that 'silent space' an integral part of my paintings. My links page on my website lists music and painters I like, so people can get an idea of what I'm interested in.

And what about authors?
No favorites here, but I'm usually reading short stories. Chekhov is obviously a great and I'm currently reading a collection of short stories by Edith Wharton.

How do the above influence/inspire your art (if at all)?
Music; sometimes I listen to a song and get an idea of what it might look like. I like repetitive sounds and subtle progressions in music. I've always liked deep, hard bass sounds too. They sound like concentric circles to me, that are slowly undulating out.

Which 20x200 artists do you most enjoy, and why?
Mike Monteiro. It's so obvious and no frills - just is. He has a lot of good ones.

Fernanda Cohen. Her lines are really beautiful; she's not afraid of white space.

Aili Schmeltz. I like her dense stacks of color.

Do you collect art?
Currently, no. My walls are usually filled with works in progress.

If I were to walk into your art studio right this minute, what would be the first thing I'd notice?
All the plants, maybe the small image of Courbet's L'Origine du monde.

And now, my favorite question: What would an ideal day include for you?
Sleeping in and getting at least 9 hours, delicious! I'm a big advocate of loafing and not doing anything and being bored. Painting in the morning, a stroll through the park, have a coffee and chill on a bench for a while...Wait! This is a perfect day, so a beach would have to be involved! A short walk along the beach, a museum and a cocktail followed by a tasty dinner...get some Law & Order reruns in and goodnight!

When did you first feel a calling to be an artist?
High School. I can't really place how or when, but that's when I began to take my art-making seriously and decided, ''Yeah, I want to do this".

What are you working on now?
More paintings on paper. I love the quality of 300lb, cold press paper. Paint and other mediums just react and sit on the paper so nicely. Lately I've been attracted to fluorescent colors and really enjoy just throwing down those crazy colors. don't know if i'm having flashbacks to the 80's, but I really have fun making fluorescent colors harmonize with other colors, and I'm always trying to introduce new forms into my paintings too.

What are you looking forward to?
Checking out the Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy show at the Met.
Also, my boss will be out of town a lot in the coming weeks; which means lots more painting, coffee and hanging out on the benches for me!

Jennifer's website
Jennifer's 20x200 edition prints:
ny.07.#32
ny.07.#34
ny.07.#20