Forward Thinking: Artist Jade Buckley’s new collection conveys the notion of moving forward.
By Rebecca Dumais
It’s been almost two years since Jade Buckley diverted her aspirations from business school to art entrepreneurship – and as she describes it, it’s been both the slowest and the fastest two years of her life.
Jade has spent the last four months working on a new collection, called Kaizen. We asked her to tell us a bit more about her new work, including the cover artwork that she created exclusively for Best Side’s one-year anniversary edition.
It’s been almost two years since Jade Buckley diverted her aspirations from business school to art entrepreneurship – and as she describes it, it’s been both the slowest and the fastest two years of her life.
Jade has spent the last four months working on a new collection, called Kaizen. We asked her to tell us a bit more about her new work, including the cover artwork that she created exclusively for Best Side’s one-year anniversary edition.
Q) What inspired this collection? Was there a moment or an experience that sparked it?
A) While I was trying to take [my art career] full time, I didn’t really know what my style of art was. I went to business school, so I really had the time to explore and kind of figure out tests and push the limits. I spent the first year really just diving into every style, medium and kind of subject that I could, and did this process of testing and learning; and then alongside that, I worked with clients to help bring their own visions and ideas to life. This process was really special for me, because I gained experience that I didn’t necessarily get in school.
The collection’s name is inspired by the Japanese concept of “Kaizen,” which refers to the idea of continuous improvement and change: a process of perpetual growth and forward movement. This concept resonates deeply with the themes in the collection, especially the paintings of city streets and cars, which reflect the notion of always moving forward on our own unique journeys through life.
It’s also special to me on a personal level. My father, who worked in Japan teaching English for over six months, chose my name inspired by the jade stone there. In a way, I feel as though the idea of my journey – and the thought of me – began there. This collection has been about allowing myself this creative freedom; to discover and put together all of the different techniques, styles, materials, etc. that I have used on my creative journey so far.
Q) Can you describe your collection?
A) I really like what this collection is all about. It’s the first collection that I’m doing completely for myself. It essentially takes everything that I’ve learned throughout my journey from each collection, but it’s also just for me to figure out that story behind the painting – my voice. Introspection focuses on the story and notion of the creative journey and carving out your own path, and the trials and tribulations through that – what it encompasses and represents.
It will show paintings of streets, cars and glowing lights throughout different horizon lines and perspectives. And it’s to show all of our own journeys and different paths.
Q) What makes you feel drawn to that particular imagery?
A) I did four previous paintings that kind of led me in this direction. And I really just loved the contrast between light and dark. I really love a painting that, when you look at it, evokes something in you. But what I also really love about [these works] is it’s a mix between abstract and realism, so everyone sees them differently. I got a lot of feedback on those specific core paintings that evoke this sort of emotion; people describe it all in different ways, which I really love. That’s what you could say art is – all about how I want my art to be. It brings out inner thoughts and your own personality or feelings and emotions within you, and it’s not straight to the point, and kind of tells you how to feel.
Q) During the creation of Introspection, were there any emotional or technical challenges you faced?
A) Yes. I won’t lie, I think this is coming at a very specific point in my career. I think spending the last little bit, although it was such a great opportunity to learn and connect with people and try different mediums and build my technique, I was feeling a little bit lost. Here I was doing what I love, but it didn’t necessarily feel completely myself, and it’s my passion! I hit a creative roadblock. It also had to do with the fact that I wasn’t going to let myself create another collection that wasn’t in my own voice.
Q) In our last interview with you, you’d indicated getting your own studio. Has that happened yet?
A) Yes! It’s the first time really that I’ve lived alone. I come from a very loving and large family, and I have a twin sister. And so I think a part of this collection also speaks to figuring out your own journey and path, the beauty in loneliness, exciting things to come on the horizon line, and the notion of moving forward. That’s something I want to focus on specifically in the future.
I want to represent the entire creative journey, which also does come with those feelings of loneliness and growth and stepping outside your comfort zone. I am so happy I’m on this path and journey. But yeah, sometimes there are challenges. Plus, starting your own business is a challenge in itself.
Q) What is your creative process, now that you’ve been able to shift into creating your own work and your own space?
A) It’s funny, because there are two different sides to my brain, and it’s very dependent on the piece that I’m creating. So with the brand partnerships and client pieces that I’ve been doing, it’s more organized and structured. But the paintings that I’m doing for myself happen very organically and freely – and yes, they happen mostly in the very dark nighttime. I’m someone who works in what they call the creative zone. I hit my peak workflow about four, and after that point, five hours feels like 20 minutes to me.
Q) Can you tell us a bit more about the cover artwork you did for Best Side?
A) I created it around the theme of sharing the stories and highlighting the vibrancy of the community. And because Best Side’s audience is waterfront communities, I wanted to highlight that. You’ll notice glowing, bright, neon, vibrant lights coming off a very dark horizon line, reflecting in the water. A song that my twin sister Tess wrote accompanies the artwork. Her song and the Best Side cover art are a collaboration, sharing the name “Suburb Showers.”
The art and the song are a special collaboration of two sisters coming together in their different art forms, to create one piece together – in celebration of Best Side Magazine’s one-year anniversary, a magazine that believes every community has a unique story to tell.
