Today we’d like to introduce you to Jody McGrath.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As far as I can remember I was never without pencil or pen. From scratching on walls to school books and desks.
I grew up in the north of Ireland during what is euphemistically known as “ The Troubles.” A convenient term to describe a war on one’s doorstep.
Gable walls were adorned with all sorts of drawings paintings and graffiti. Mostly political and historical and I would muse and stare and absorb all these shapes and colors.
Fast forward through school and university were art and in particular painting became not just habitual. But mandatory.
Exiting university i inherently knew I had to evolve both as a painter and human being. Thus I found myself drawn and in pursuit of my own visual version of the American dream.
This was thirty years ago and it’s a path that has taken myself and more importantly my paintings across the length and breadth of this land.
Today I find myself less haphazard and frenetic in my works. This may be a phase or sojourn or something I’ve yet to experience.
As a painter my works are still sewn with the bone and sinew of the human condition that binds us all.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never been a smooth road. It has taken much sacrifice and heartache both outward and inward as I am my own worst critic.
I’m saying the above I’m not quite certain that given the chance of hindsight I would recalibrate anything.
Difficulty has it’s own way of thinking within and outward on canvas. My works may not ever have acquired the strength and truths had my journey been a cake walk.
It’s difficult to not become somewhat philosophical when talking about one’s troubles and struggles. But what I do hope is that it’s made me acutely conscious of why i still find myself painting.
The word No is one in which I have heard more times than I can recollect. Very disheartening but not enough to give up.
A dear literary friend and filmmaker once told me “ when they say no. You say next.”
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ am a painter. I don’t think I have ever referred to myself as an artist. Particularly in these times when a simple click can create something that i have spent forty years honing and mastering.
Thirty plus years of paint and paintings and thousands and thousand of miles traversing in pursuit of my own visual adaptation if the American dream is something I am immensely proud of.
From humble beginnings on paper to my paintings adorning walls in famous homes and buildings and across oceans leaves me with the satisfaction that my paintings must somehow be worthy or why else would the wealthy and the poor indulge in them.
I twist the real and surreal world into fact and visual fiction. Visual storytelling of not just my own life but maybe yours as well.
Merging colors pencil scratches and charcoal into something cohesive and beautiful that may also underline the beauty in the darkness.
Pink can be as beautiful as it’s dark in the right hands. It’s all in how it’s explained on canvas that makes my work a little more appealing and different.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Irregardless of those that say no to you in the pursuit of an artistic dream. Or any other dream for that matter hold firm. Take a breath and let it go. Move onwards and move upwards.
In the words of Oscar Wilde “ We are all in the gutter , but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Don’t ever give up on yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jodymcgrath.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodymcgrathart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D3E2pMFgV/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-mc-grath-73690317
