Capture the Extraordinary
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Small Portrait 12 x 18
As I was listening to NPR the other morning, Jon Sarkin’s voice just completely memorized me and I knew I wanted to steal some time with him. Jon suffered a stroke in 1998 while playing golf which turned him into a completely different person. Shortly after he arrived home, he began drawing cactuses over and over again almost in a compulsive way. Since then, art had a hold of him or maybe the other way around. Jon could not stop creating, painting, drawing, doodling, you name it. Empty sketch books became the home to several ideas with not one single blank page to be found. Not only are neurologists still trying to figure out what’s causing this infatuation with art after his stroke but his art has really come to live over the years. His work was featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, ABC Primetime, This American Life, GQ, ArtNews, and galleries in New York, Los Angeles, and around the world. I’m so honored to share this interview with you.
What advice do you have for an artist just starting out? Create incessantly. This is the only way you’ll improve and find your own voice.
So much focus is on your artwork, rightly so. I’d like to share with our visual artist community information about YOU. What are your top 5 things in life that you love and/or cannot live without? My wife, three kids and music. Also art supplies.
In 1998 you had a stroke while playing golf and after drawing your first cactus over and over again, you became obsessed with creating artwork. As you live in the moment, does your artwork help you remember those moments? DEFINITELY.
Let’s talk the five senses for a second as I’m curious about something. Actually, let’s focus on two: sight and smell. You said that everything is “fresh and new” and that you have double vision. But, what’s your thought on taste? Are you able to compare taste to how it once was to what it is now? Do you think this has changed at all? I can taste things better now. For example, I notice the natural sweetness of unsugared coffee. I don’t think most do this.
Since you experience the world in a new way, every day, please describe your artwork in your own terms (whatever comes to mind!): I try to capture the extraordinary in the ordinary in my art.
I came across a blog that interviewed you saying, “Most people are looking for a coherent pattern to something. They like things to make sense. So do I. But you know what? Too bad.” I love this quote and understand what you mean. I’m curious to know, do you think your artwork comforts people? I don;t try to make my art comfort people; I want it to make them think.
Describe yourself in five words: I AM NOT A CROOK. (I was going to say hero, fascinating, admirable and direct)
Jon also writes some poetry on his site, which many have not given any attention to, at least, I don’t think so. The one I like best is called “Jim in Gilead” :
“Where are the snows of yesteryear?” wonders Jim, but he knows, really, and his question dwindles like a fading star in the daybreak. It was just yesterday that he was a baby, swaddled in swaddle, rattling his rattle. Then – poof – he is an old man. That went fast. The snows of yesteryear, he knows, are locked away in some fortress of solitude, where frozen memories are eternally congealed in an unharvestable harvest, where he must endure the unendurable and heal the sick and walk with the lame. There *is* a balm in Gilead, he tells himself.
I understand you “don’t look forward” and I admire your strength for embracing this outlook as I am not that strong and plan as far ahead of time as possible. So, please tell me, what are you creating TODAY since artwork just comes to you naturally and has for quite some time now? I’M WORKING ON PORTRAITS OF STEVIE WONDER AND JIM MORRISON.
Is your artwork currently on display and if so, where can we view it? See here
*Art Dealer Ruth Ann Traylor, has setup a website dedicated to Sarkin’s work. Here you can view pieces available for purchase, and view facts and articles related to Sarkin.
Jon currently has an exhibit at PEAC in Ewing, NJ until April 30th. Address: 1440 Lower Ferry Rd
Here are portraits of Jon in his current and former studios in Gloucester and also a photo of the wheel used in the Guster video simply leaning against the wall in the studio.
My favorite part of the first interview is when I enter his studio for the first time and jee the hundreds of original pieces stacked up and strewn about. It took me aback.
Video interviews as well-
http://goodmorninggloucester.wordpress.com/?s=Sarkin
Jon Sarkin Interview At His Birdseye Building Studio Part I
Jon Sarkin Interview At His Birdseye Building Studio Part II
Sarkin- A Portrait In Pictures
hi! thank you for commenting. jon just has this beautiful aura about him, i can’t really put my finger on it. he has such a unique vision and i’d love to see him create a piece in person like he did at the MET.
[...] Check out the interview here [...]
thank you!
Thank you for this insight into Mr. Sarkin’s work. I became acquainted with him after watching a Science Channel documentary about him the other night, and I’m so grateful he has art as an outlet. Life cannot be easy for him or his family, but he has such a positive attitude about “the now” and he has brushes and canvases to turn to for comfort. I truly admire him for that.
You’re welcome, I feel so honored to learn a bit more about Jon and share with our art community. He’s such a true inspiration.