JOHN MAC KAH - Rapid River Magazine

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18 May 2011 — RAPID RIVER ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE — Vol. 14, No. 9
F
R A P I D R I V E R A R T S
waynesville
INTERVIEW WITH
Jenny Buckner
Jenny Buckner grew up in Brevard, NC
and now lives in Waynesville, NC. She
discovered her natural gift for composition
and color following a difficult time
in her life. Her interest in painting was
encouraged by her mother who is a local
artist herself. She particularly enjoys
painting animals, flowers and children and
maintains a busy portrait schedule. She employs
a loose impressionistic style reminiscent
of European impressionist painters.
Rapid River Magazine: Please describe your
creative process.
Jenny Buckner: I love to take photographs
and use them for my paintings. Light and
shadow really interests me and transferring
that to a canvas is a challenge I relish.
I sketch my paintings in paint not charcoal.
I love the buttery texture of oil paints and
how it glides on. I only paint what I’m interested
in and nothing else. I have to feel an
emotional connection to my subject.
RRM: I’ve heard that artists
must “make room” for art by
sometimes choosing it over
other areas of their lives. Has
that been true for you, and if
so, how?
JB: My art fits right in my
life. I can’t breathe if I’m
not creating something. My
family comes first and then
the art. I dream about things
I want to paint. I paint only
for myself and God. I did not
start painting until I was in
my thirties. I was creative but
not on canvas. My husband
came down with MS and I
got severely depressed. I had a dream where
God told me to paint so I did and within
a month won third place in Washington,
D.C. and within the year won third place in
a very prestigious national art show. It has
been such a blessing in my life and brings
me happiness. When I first started painting I
would cry after each one.
RRM: Your work has a very unique style that
is all your own, as it is with all good artists,
so did you consciously acquire your style or
was it there from the beginning or perhaps a
little of both?
JB: My style is my own. I love color and
light and bouncing it all over my canvas.
Since I have no formal training, I don’t
know the rules and it is so freeing. I try to
paint with no fear.
RRM: How did having an artist for a mother
affect your becoming an artist?
Blue Trees
by Jenny Buckner
JB: My mother is a part-time artist and I love
her work. I collected art because of her.
RRM: If you weren’t painting what would
you be doing?
JB: Something creative!
INTERVIEWED BY DENNIS RAY
Splash Landing
by Jenny Buckner
RRM: You also do portraits. What is your
greatest challenge as a portrait painter?
JB: I was painting people before I was
painting anything else. Most people start
with landscapes, but since I didn’t know the
“rules” I just started doing
what I wanted and it worked.
I have a two year waiting list
for my portraits and I feel
blessed especially with this
economy.
RRM: Tell us about how you
started doing paintings of
animals?
JB: I have lots of animals and
even toyed with being a vet. 4
cats and 2 dogs and I used to
show angora rabbits. So, it is
a subject I love.
RRM: How many hours a day
do you create?
JB: I paint fast and I only paint about two
days a week. Other days I am out photographing
or making jewelry.
RRM: What are your inspirations?
JB: I love working with high school kids in
my studio and just getting better at portraying
my subjects in my paintings. There is
always room for improvement.
RRM: How do you recharge when your
creativity hits the wall?
JB: I read a lot! And spend time with other
artists and get re-infected with the joy.
RRM: Do you paint from both photographs
and en plein air and which do you prefer?
JB: Photographs. They sit still, there are not
bugs, [there is] plenty of air conditioning,
and lots of rock and roll to listen to while I
paint.
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