Janicke Johansen

My art is interpretive and modern created from my own imagination as well as time spent observing and interacting with the things I love nature and design. My practice centres on playful experimentation with stencils, printmaking, dripping paint, and multiple layers. Details come from fine-tuning and blocking out areas in solid colours, through this process, a happy, colourful menagerie emerges. I also create collages and sculptures using mostly recycled components such as plastic, tape, found objects and wire. The sculptures use these elements as the core of the piece with a papier-mache and plaster covering, while my collages are simple constructions of colour, texture and shape made from painting off cuts & plain paper.

I create art because...

It makes me happy and it gives me a way to express myself in a safe environment. I feel compelled to create as well as if it is a part of me and something I do to calm my nerves as well as to feel good.

I am different to most artists because...

I like to combine printmaking with my painting, I call it "Prainting" because it combines both these methods. I also love to make sculptures and collages, I find having multiple ways to create is helpful when one piece isn't working. So I can work in another medium that requires a different process, it helps reduce artist blocks and keeps me busy.

When you look at my art, the thing I want you to feel is...

Happiness, calm and joy.

The thing I most want to say to non-artists is...

I believe everyone is meant to create, for the love of it, to feel good. You don't have to be good you just need to work with your hands and make something, anything, It feels really good to create and is a great stress reliever. Plus the more you do the better you get, it just takes time and practice.

I believe art is an important part of our lives because...

It gives us a chance to express ourselves in a way that is different from talking. It is also great for connecting to yourself and helping with reducing stress.