We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Jay Freedman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Mark Jay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
The origins of my art identity can easily be traced to my parents, and grandparents, choosing to immerse me in the humanities, Early on I developed a deep respect for the arts. Literature, drawing, building, trips to observatories and historical sites all over the country. As I grew, my parents encouraged experience and travel. I toured Washington DC with my Junior High School, Landed in Israel for two months when I was 16, explored a European summer when I was 18 and back to Israel to study when I was 22. Each one of those experiences brought me into contact with art that would create phenomenological moments that I am still drawing from today. My first undergraduate accomplishment was a degree in Middle Eastern Studies from The University of Arizona. After a year in Israel and a year working in Los Angeles, I decided to go to art school. My parents told me they were to be supportive upon one condition…that when I begin, I will not stop until I’d earned my Master’s degree.In my family education, and by those means, creates a well rounded person and an expert in their field (which is what I did). This moment still resonates with me today and sets an example when dealing with young artists.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am an artist of the 21st Century but I was trained during the end of the 20th Century. I subscribe to the thinking that an artist of contemporary times must explore multiple mediums within the vernacular of their production…and easily move between them. This is me. My studio offers painting, sculpture, drawing, digital art, music, videos, t-shirts and a few things you’ll need to see to comprehend. I am an artist who strives for beauty and I’ve been consumed by the idea of origins for the last many years. I believe that the depth of content, supported by my chosen subject matter, married by my presentation results in a body of work that is powerful without being heavy handed, beautiful without being saccharine… and deceptively serious. I suspect that sets me apart…
I’d like everyone to know, in a small studio in North Phoenix is a dedicated artist who’s goal is to bring beauty, color and mythology into the art discussion and the people who get to see.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Origins. During the pandemic I had much studio time and soon all ideas receded and then reemerged fresh and new, the same language but I could now see the dialogue of its origins and I was very moved. Since, I’ve dedicated my work to this idea of beginnings. All the work is tied together by this vision. At the core, my work approaches a universal reimagining of civilization. Is there a more important discussion?
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
To come full circle…my parents request that I complete my MFA if I was to study art, allowed me to become an educator at The New School for Arts and Academics. This is a small arts middle and high school. This is my 6th year and I consider myself very lucky to have found two life-callings. I am privileged to share my knowledge with creative high schoolers on the subjects of US History, Art History & Literature and 2-D Design. Outside of my family, this part of my journey is the most fulfilling and the work that means the most to me. Somehow it makes sense, if you know me, you know my story is one of a late blooming, art making, academic and today I get to keep my feet firmly planted in both.
Contact Info:
- Website: woodandclouds.com
- Instagram: @markjayfreedman
Image Credits
All photos by the artist.