Artist Interview with Jared Schwartz "Jay"

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jared Schwarts mostly know as Jay.  Jay and I concured our first year here at Mason Gross together we were pretty much in every class together and it was nice to have a good friend to go through all of that with, it was some pretty hectic times.  Freshman year we both tried out alot of different mediums and were beginning to grow as an artists that is why I was so excited to get the chance to interview him and see the artist he has grown into.

Franki: At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to go to art school and become an artist?

Jay: I actually never planned on attending art school. I was set to attend UDel or Fordham and solely major in journalism, but a lot of my teachers pushed me to give art a try. Once I got accepted to Mason Gross everyone made it seem like it was a "big deal" so I gave it a try and figured if I don't follow through with art I could still major in something else at Rutgers.

Franki: Where your parents supportive in the decision?

Jay: My parents have always been and will always be supportive. They just want to make sure that I think realistically with everything I do. Although, they believe in my art they constantly remind me to stay aware of what I'm up against...they just don't want to see me discouraged or give up what I believe in. They want to make sure I work hard, work a lot, and go all the way. 

Franki: What classes have you taken so far?

Jay: Well, aside from being a photo major at Mason Gross, I'm also a Journalism and Media Studies major so I've taken a lot of photo and journalism classes. I've also taken printmaking classes because I'm really into lithography.

Franki: When You took these art classes, you obviously found something that really interested you, what lead you towards that?

Jay: Well with photo in particular, I was very intimidated in photo I. I had never picked up a camera before so I felt somewhat inferior to my peers. However, the following year I saw photos by William Eggleston in photo ii and something clicked with me. I really connected with the color and the documentary feel of the images. Something sparked in me and I've loved it ever since.

Franki: Why Photo?

Jay: I'm obsessed with iconic imagery. Although, I love video and feel that some of my work is best displayed through the medium, there is something so compelling about a sole image. It sticks out in your mind. There are things in that one image that just connect with the viewer...it's almost like it creates another life outside of the life of the subject. I love that.

Franki: What is your favorite thing to photograph?

Jay: I'm all about people. I love connecting with people and getting to know who they are and revealing that persona through my lens. I'm also very big on color.

Franki: What inspires you and who are some of your influences? 

Jay: I'm inspired by a lot of things. There are a lot of photographers that I place on a throne, you know? Every artist does that though you know? Photographers like Tierney Gearon, Larry Clark, Ryan McGinley, Nan Goldin...but I would have to say without hesitation my number one inspiration is Jean Michel Basquiat. His work, his style... His genius! He was amazing with color. Whenever I do a project, I always ask, "what would Basquiat do?"

Franki: What piece of work is your favorite? Why?

Jay: I don't have a favorite piece. As long as it comes from an honest place then I'm at least ok with it.

Franki: What would you consider to be your flaw as an artist...or what could you work more on?

Jay: I definitely new to brush up on my editing when I'm working on series. Sometimes I feel that it's not cohesive enough. Uhh...I definitely need to think outside of the box a bit more as well. There are a lot of things that I have to work on though.

Franki: What do you consider to be your strength as an artist?

Jay: I think it shows that I think about my work. I've learned to truly listen to advice from my peers and instructors during critiques and I've used that advice to make my work stronger. 

Franki: Are you scared about the Thesis process and having your work put up in a gallery? Why or why not?

Jay: I'm definitely not scared. However, I am a little nervous about the having it viewed in the space, just because I want it to look right and I am an extreme perfectionist. I know how I want things to look and it has to be that way. Its so crazy to know that this moment is finally here. Like this is the purpose for attending art school and it's finally here.

Franki: What are your plans for after college?

Jay: My plans for after college? Grad school is definitely my first priority, because I truly want to master my craft.

Franki:What are some things you would like to cross off your art bucket list before graduating?

Jay: That's a very awkward question. I don't k ow if I have an art bucketlist...I just act off of whatever I'm inspired by at the moment. For example, I am very inspired by Prince and all of the imagery from his Purple Rain era. Like it's bizarre and sounds mad stupid, but apart of me is really connecting with it. Everything is so purple and over the top. So now I really want to do a project where there's just a lot of purple and confusing imagery.

Franki: Who is Jay as an artist?

Jay: Who is Jay as an artist? The same as "original" Jay, I guess. There's no switj that I turn on when I'm in an artistic mode. I'm always creating. I make music, take photos, make prints, make videos...it all goes together, it's all my art. I never stop.

I can not wait to see what Jay will accomplish in his senior year and contribute to the Senior Thesis Show.  He is very confident in himself which grows onto others to be confident in him too!  He is strong in what he believes in and it shows in photos and will show in the show.  I also can not wait to see him as a journalist, he made me feel passionate about his work just by talking to him imagine what he could do in writhing.