Artwork From Home: Jeny Kirshtein
Jeny Kirshtein is a mixed-media Jerusalem-based artist working in drawing, painting and ceramics. I discovered Jeny’s work on Instagram and immediately fell in love with her colorful and comical illustrations of daily life in quarantine with her partner and toddler. Jeny is currently working on her Volume 16 sketchbook so I decided to check in on how the process is going for her and how current circumstances may have shaped and changed her approach to sketching.
Tell us about yourself!
I’m a professional artist, fine art restorer and ceramic maker. As my friend says: ”Jeny has an art instead of brains”. And I like it!
When did you participate in the sketchbook project?
I'm drawing in my sketchbook right now. I’m in the middle of it. Every time I recount the remaining white pages I think: ”no, no, please do not end there, I like you so much, you have such a good size and energy”
How were you first introduced to art?
Oh God, it was so long ago that I no longer remember. I’ve been painting for all of my life since I was a child.
What are your favorite mediums and subject matters?
It depends on many circumstances including the time of the year. For example, in spring I want to go to the plein air and paint landscapes in oil. But in winter, on the contrary, I prefer sitting at home and drawing sketches.
I like to paint my family and all sorts of funny moments because my toddler-son is constantly doing some amusing things. I also draw myself a lot.
I love bright clothes, ornaments, textures, combinations of objects. I like using acrylic colors because of their properties and it's very convenient to use. But considering sketches I usually do them every day no matter what because it’s my biggest passion. I draw sketches only with felt-tip pens, they are my true love, especially acrylic felt-tip pens that became my discovery of this year.
What inspires you to make art?
Everything! and everyone. As soon as I understood this, I realized that I'm a real artist.
What are you currently sketching?
I have a lot of beautiful furniture at home and there are a lot of beautiful dresses in the wardrobe, that’s why I draw a character that looks like me in different dresses and poses with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee.
But for the moment it's difficult to quarantine when you have a small child. I have less time and I feel sad because of the situation around the coronavirus.
How is the current quarantine situation affecting your art-making?
Currently I am receiving a second education. I’m a student at the Faculty of Ceramics in Jerusalem Academy of Art and Design. But because of quarantine, there are no studios in the Academy so at home I paint on vases and I draw a lot of sketches for future projects as well.
What inspired you to start the daily quarantine drawings project?
When I started this new sketchbook I said to myself: “by the time I’ll finish this sketchbook this apocalypse will end too”🙏🏼
Has it helped in any way?
Oh sure! I make fun of some situations and it makes me feel better. For example, I have a picture of how my husband climbs up the wall because there is nowhere else to go. He had a really hard day but in the evening we sincerely laughed at this picture. And at the same time people from my Instagram are also joking about this sketch with us. It's a good vibe I think.
Is this project different from your normal process? How so?
Overall no, I don't think so. All the time I try to invent something not to get stuck in one genre. But at the same time I want my drawings to be recognizable that’s why I try to stick with my own style.
Do you have any advice for artists or people that want to make art during this time?
Yesterday I went out to my yard to paint a landscape, and five minutes later I heard the sound of a piano. Someone opened the window and started playing. That was incredible! In other time I probably would not have paid attention to this. But on that day I felt such a connection with this “piano man”. It even seemed to me that he played just for me. I immediately became happy and forgot about all the problems and fears.
I have only one piece of advice for everyone and at all times - make art! it will make you feel happy.
If you’d like to see more of Jeny’s work and follow along with her sketchbook process, check out her instagram @jekirshtein!