The Sunny Side of Edmonton

Artist Statement:

The Sunny Side of Edmonton is a celebration of landmarks and the emotions that they evoke about the place that we call home. Our climate goes through some extreme changes in season, which can produce a very cyclical life style. With each of the changes in season there is always something on the horizon to look forward to, particularly in spring and summer. Most of us will experience a giddy feeling of delight when we think about all of the things we are able to do in summer. It is the time of year when the opportunities to experience our city are at their strongest, when our feelings of belonging to a strong, beautiful community are revitalized and renewed. As Edmontonians, we emerge from our long winters to soak up the life of the city through its many facilities, parks, events and festivals. We step out of homes and our solitary winter lifestyles are left behind, so that we can mingle and “live” again, and our relationship with our city or home is re-established.

It is this love and relationship that the artist continues to explore in this new series, by bringing a “summery”, fun and whimsical interpretation to the landmarks of our city. This series celebrates all that has been built for us by those that came before us. It celebrates our city’s location, the beautifully constructed buildings that line our horizon, the amazing facilities that were designed for our enjoyment and the events and festivals that thrive in Edmonton every year.

Through this work the artist hopes to inspire even more pride in our beautiful city. He hopes to encourage viewers to appreciate, participate and build upon our culture, and continue the legacy of Edmonton.

Bio:

Jason is a 35 year old Illustrator/Art Director who grew up mainly in the golden prairies of Alberta, Canada, with a 4 year stint living overseas in Cyprus. He obtained a degree in Education through the University of Alberta and then earned a degree in Design with an Illustration major from the Alberta College of Art and Design. Since graduating his professional focus has been on freelance projects, while allowing time for work on personal creative projects as time permits. Jason and a colleague have recently started a motion graphics studio and are now working building it up with a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

Jason describes himself as part of the “G.I. Joe, Dukes of Hazard, Smurfs, He-man, Transformers, Big Wheels, play outside using your imagination, still holding onto our youth” generation. His father was always making up “Big Fish” stories for Jason and his siblings, including such fantastical tales as always being on the lookout for snow alligators; that Jason is, in fact, an alien; and that people shouldn’t swallow chewing gum or it would likely cause them to grow a gum tree in their stomachs. This creative influence and outlandish storytelling ensured that creativity and imagination were always present in Jason’s youth; ideas which have carried forward into his adulthood and are evident in much of his work.

Jason’s first steps towards painting and illustration came from a need to find a direction for his creative yearnings, a need to just create things based upon his imagination, no matter how wild the ideas were or where they led. Once an idea finds him he has to keep it alive through art, regardless of the practicality. Growing up he was able to foster this need alongside with his cousin, who was another strong creative influence in his life. They were always doing something creative together, bouncing ideas off each other and keeping their dreams alive so that eventually his cousin ended up in movies and Jason in illustration.

When describing Jason’s style of illustration one would likely arrive at whimsical. He sees things through a modern perspective, with a mid century sensibility, and is enamoured with the design and illustration ideas of this time period, which generally involve a clean, shape based movement. Jason approaches his work from a “sunshine and lollipops” point of view, where everything is fun and happy.

Opening Reception: June 14, 2012.