Artgirlgallery.com Minaz Jantz Notes

Life Drawings: The model has to sit still while I ponder over the curves. Each model brings their own character and mixed with my artistic interpretations, I quickly draw! I have for a couple of years organized others to gather at my loft to spend two hours drawing the FABULOUS models. These models work hard... just try to sit still and hold a pose... say one hour.

Figure Paintings: I paint the naked body for its mystery and curves that engages me in the freedom of expression. I like to mix realism with a surreal perspective to cognate a visual dream state.

In short... I LOVE to draw nudes. I became fascinated with the human figure living in Europe as a young girl. Everywhere in art, magazines, public buildings, churches, etc. was the nude human body of every style and interpretation. My first shocking rejection of my art came during these times when I gave a Canadian boy one of my drawings of a nude woman. His mom flipped out yelling names that I didn't find out till I was older exactly what those nasty words meant.

Musician Series: A rhythmic story flows through out the paintings with the inspiration of music and the musicians. Carting my sketch book to dark clubs, recording studios, & road trips drawing from live performances. The inconvenient lack of light, space & drunks serves me for a freer expression that combined with design, gesture & character to narrate the painting. Drawing in night clubs, I would bring extra supplies and encourage the on lookers to join in the inspiration of drawing to live music.

Some of many fortunate experiences was to be allowed inside for recording sessions in private hire studios to recording LIVE@ The Yale Blues Bar in Vancouver. What an incredible process to record music into a convenient form that we can all share. Fascinated by technology combined with creative genius to make the ultimate sound I merged with the shapes, lines and rhythms drawing what connects to the music into art work.

Some very memorable visits back stage with great performers such as Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Bonnie Raitt, Colin James... Also wonderful to have met some talented locals who have traveled with some of the best bands making a living playing music.

My guy, James Hewett has played and written music with some awesome musicians from New Orleans, LA, & Vancouver. He is who I follow into the night dragging my art supplies. James plays with local guys like Joe Mavety who has his years past playing lead guitar and writing music (Broken English, etc) for Marianne Faithful.

Robbie King, keyboards, piano, etc played in Motown 60's for soundtracks with the Supremes and songs such as 'Wildflower'. Robbie has been featured through out the musician series originally in live performances. Sadly he passed away a few years ago. Robbie's spirit is reflected in some of the works of art in the musician series.

When James first arrived in Vancouver he met with a friendly face, Oliver Conway who has been a part of the Yale Blues Bar Saturday jam sessions for eons. Jimmy plays often with Oliver at the Yale and at times in Oliver's recording studio. Many recording sessions where designed into the back drop of the musician series. to the top

Variety: Painting is a medium to express symbols with color and shape. My interests are to use oil paints, oil pastels, chalk pastel, acrylic, watercolor, foils, found objects, etc. Surrounding me are subjects & objects that eventually influence my paintings. I will start a large oil painting of a nude then switch to a small chalk pastel, next try out some multimedia and a different subject so that I can keep fresh in my creative journey exploring what interests me.

Pet Portraits: Our pets, the guardians of earth transform our complex lives. They bring our senses closer to the earth. My life has been charmed by their incredible personalities and loyal companionship.

I painted this series of portraits to show their spirit force, dignity and humor through a style I call "impressionist animation". Most of these characters I have met, cared for and certainly enjoyed their visits.

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