Interview
Jytte Kristin Eikenes
Jytte Kristin Eikenes was born in 1968 and lives in Høyanger, in the middle of the beautiful Sognefjord on the west coast of Norway. Her mother is from Copenhagen, Denmark, and her father is from Holmedal, also on the west coast of Norway.
She is an educated civil engineer, and after several years working in mapping and surveying, she took a degree in pedagogy. For the last 10 years, she has been teaching engineering at the Western school for technical engineering. In recent years she has held various leadership positions at the school.
Jytte has always been drawing and painting, and whenever she has had time to spare, she has been working on improving her skills. Since 2004, she has been working on making a career as an artist. She has been taking classes with different artists and experimenting on her own, using different materials and techniques. For several years she was the leader in the local art association in Høyanger, and through this position, she met many interesting artists that have been a great source of inspiration.
Jytte has had several exhibitions, both solo exhibitions and joint exhibitions in Norway and abroad, and has been selected for various juried exhibitions. In 2018 an article was written about her in the Norwegian contemporary art web-magazine ‘Samtidskunst’.
She has exhibited in Copenhagen twice, and has taken part in juried exhibitions in Germany and Italy. This summer she participated in a joint exhibition together with two upcoming artists: Rune Furelid and Anne Angelshaug. For the first time, she exhibited some of her photographs along with her paintings.
In the last few years, Jytte has been working mainly on commissions, in addition to painting for exhibitions. After her previous exhibition, she felt like exploring even more. So this autumn she said no to commissions, and has been spending her time trying out new motifs and techniques. She also attended a workshop with one of her art heroes, Vebjørn Sand, to learn portraiture. Her plan for the future is to continue evolving, in addition to painting for an upcoming exhibition in the summer.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always been drawing and painting, in addition to expressing my creativity in many other ways. When I was young I decided to get an education in arts, but my parents wanted me to chose a ‘safer’ way. I took education in civil engineering, and have been working as an engineer and teaching engineering. For the last few years, I have been a leader at the Western School for Technical Engineering.
All my spare time has been used pursuing my need to express myself artistically. From 2004 I have been serious about building an artistic career. I have been taking classes at established artists’ studios, I have been studying art I enjoy, reading books and exploring the web. In this process, I have been experimenting with different techniques, motives, and materials.”
“My art is mainly colorful and expressive. I draw and paint in a naturalistic way, but with a twist. Some of my work may be described as semi-abstract or contemporary. I prefer to paint living beings, people, and animals. In my opinion, there is beauty in everything and everyone.”
What inspires you most?
“Nature is my biggest source of inspiration. I find inspiration in light and shadows, colors and contrasts, different textures and patterns you might find in nature. This also includes a combination of natural and manmade elements. People and animals are also a great source of inspirations, and are also my favorite motives. I like to be able to express emotions, and I believe my background in reading many cartoons has helped me in developing this skill.
Other artists’ work does inspire me too. Both abstract and naturalistic art. It might be a special combination of colors, or a great mix between lines and planes in a painting. Music is important in my art, and whatever music I listen to while painting, influences the outcome of what I am making.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I meditate and am a fan of slow living and distressing. I believe this shows in my work. For me, respect and fairness for all living creatures, and for nature, is very important. In my opinion, there is beauty in everything and everyone, and I wish to show this to those who see my art. When I paint animal portraits I aim to bring out the personality of the animal. If my art can make someone pause and notice something they normally would ignore, this will make me happy.”
How would you describe your work?
“My art is mainly colorful and expressive. I draw and paint naturalistic, but with a twist. Some of my work may be described as semi-abstract or contemporary. I prefer to paint living beings, people, and animals. When I take pictures, I prefer cityscapes and nature. I like to mix mediums and techniques - watercolor, acrylics, photo, soft pastel, charcoal, and Lino-print.”
What artists influence you most?
“The first artists that really made an impact on me as a child were Marc Chagall and Antoni Gaudi. They are still amongst my favorites, and I believe the colors of Chagall have deeply influenced me. Edgar Degas, Frida Kahlo and John Singer Sargent are some of those that have also influenced me much. Håkon Gullvåg is one of the contemporary artists that inspires me with his use of color and contrast.”
What is your creative process like?
"My creative process involves much mind work, so I prefer to have many projects going on at the same time. While working on one painting, my mind keeps on thinking about the other paintings that are ongoing. If I feel stuck in the process, I find it helps to go wandering about with my camera, chasing motives.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art is very important in a society, therefore artists play an important role. Art in school has proven to improve children’s ability to learn other subjects such as math. I think this applies not just to children. Sadly it seems that art is the first sector to loose funding when the economy gets tight.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have participated in a few solo exhibitions and collectives. I have been elected to take part in some exhibitions in competition with other artists. Amongst these I am most proud of 'Fresh legs' in Berlin and 'Fabriano' in Acquarello, Italy. I have also been elected as ‘Artist of the month’ at Portland Towers in Copenhagen. There is also an article written about my art in the Norwegian magazine of contemporary art, ‘Samtidskunst’.”
