The Brooklyn Artist: Jeremy Penn
Perhaps the most telling quote ever uttered about art was by the great French painter and sculptor, Henri Matisse. His exact words were, “Creativity requires courage.” That courage he spoke of can be seen in the bold paintings of born and raised NYC artist, Jeremy Penn. He is able to convey a mélange of hard and soft emotions in his portraits, and he skillfully plays with light, color and texture to intrigue and seduce the viewer. He has painted major celebrity figures (both past & present) like Kate Moss, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin and Karl Lagerfeld. Diane Von Furstenberg actually purchased the painting Jeremy did of her. We invited the ever-evolving artist to our Onassis Café for a coffee and a chat. Read on below.
Do you remember the age when you first realized that art was going to be your profession?
I always knew art was going to be a part of my life because it is part of my soul. I didn’t think a career was possible until I began selling my paintings. I was 23 when I sold my first big painting.
Tell us about the professional training you’ve had in your artistic career?
I have been in art schools most of my life, but the real training began when I studied at Pratt. It was at Pratt that I was able to train under some of the most incredible art professors. After college, once you enter the art world and begin putting yourself out for the world to see, you take on an entirely new form of training.
Being that you’re born and bred in NYC, how does this lively, diverse, fast-paced city mold your work?
My work is a combination of grit & glam. That is my vision of NYC and its aesthetic diversity is something that has influenced by work from as early as I can remember. My new work embodies the spirit of NYC with its weathered graffiti background coated with a polished gold foreground.
How do you choose the people and things you decide to portray in your art – is it an orderly system or something more random?
It is completely random. Inspiration can hit at any moment for any reason and then I find myself painting a portrait of someone I never thought of painting.
With regards to your creative process, do you follow a certain routine or is it whenever the inspiration hits you?
I submit myself to random acts of inspiration. I believe that is fundamental for any artist.
You’ve painted several fashion icons – DVF, Lagerfeld etc. How does fashion influence and inspire you?
It wasn’t until Alexander McQueen’s show “Savage Beauty” at the Met that I fully recognized fashion as such a powerful form of art. I began researching these designers and their creative process. Apart from their talent, I was completely inspired by their charismatic personalities.
We also saw the t-shirts you make featuring your art. Is this something you want to pursue on a bigger scale?
My desire to create is constant & multifaceted in form, whether it is painting or designing a shirt. With that said, I don’t see myself doing another line of t-shirts featuring my art in the near future. I want to go a little deeper and actually design the shirt from the ground up.
Moving on to your own personal style – what would you say is your go-to style/fashion uniform?
White t-shirt & blue jeans. I stick to the basics. I always have.
Lastly, can you share any new projects/exhibitions/shows we should be looking forward to in the near future?
I have a big exhibition opening September 17th at Coldstream Fine Art in Toronto, Canada.
To keep up with Jeremy’s work, visit www.JeremyPenn.com
