We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jay Mercado. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jay below.

Jay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Creativity is risk. And risk requires creativity. Without risk nothing truly creative happens. Even initially taking the leap to become an artist is ripe with risk. And yet nothing worthwhile comes without risk. Mountains do not climb themselves. Big waves don’t surf themselves. And bold and beautiful paintings do not paint themselves. The more we peel away the unnecessary layers from ourselves to unveil our true essence and then make artwork the more we risk. It’s a requirement.

Jay, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Working large gives me amplitude to tell my story clearly and impact a space, impact a passerby, loiterer, traveler, wanderer to give more than a glance, perhaps take a chance, to view a subject in a new light, make a connection, and maybe be moved. A grand imposing gesture is meant to give one pause. I worked in a mural studio in Santa Monica and as an illustrator before venturing out to create fine art and murals of my own. Most of my artwork is inspired by the world around me, the things I see, touch and experience while looking at the overlooked.
My fine art takes familiar art historical motifs and reimagines them with a hint of magic realism. The resulting drawings and paintings exist on two planes: the obvious and implied. The intention is to evoke a subtle figurative sensuality as seen through an assemblage of exotic and common fruits from random markets and farms. This satisfies my desire to combine both figurative and still life painting. I find the possibilities endless and they fill my sketchbooks..
My mural work remains commercial thus far and interprets the visions of the restaurant, hotel, office or office building lobby.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I recently crossed the country looking for a new base, a new home, a new art studio. After decades in my hometown San Francisco it was time. The search required calm, clear exploring after an emotional departure. Resourceful and resilient is the hallmark of most artists and yet most do not leave a successful working studio to begin again in an unknown place. The journey was long and the adventure continues even as I have found my new base in southern New Hampshire. Establishing oneself in a new land requires tapping into all of my inner resilience and belief in the possible. Unknown to me at the time, I’ve landed in a remarkably cultural area and have hit the ground running and painting.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

What is most rewarding for me as an artist is that I get to make stuff up. Even a random doodle on the back of an envelope has the potential to become an impactful wall mural. Ultimately I enjoy taking risks creatively and seeing a sketch come to life as a painting. Themes that are mined from deep within are gratifying to explore and share as they are not only autobiographical but also show me we are all interconnected. It is a profound legacy to participate in and no great culture ever existed without art.     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jaymercado.com
• Instagram: jaymercadostudio
• Facebook: Jay Mercado
• Linkedin: Jay Mercado – artist- Jay Mercado Studio

Image Credits
Jay Mercado