Jalynn McPleasant

ARTIST STATEMENT

When it comes to my work, I like to explore negative emotions. I find that negative emotions are something people seek to avoid or get rid of. Most people understandably prefer to focus on positivity. However, as someone who’s experienced many different emotional states throughout myself, I think that the negative emotions we experience throughout our lives shouldn’t be ignored or suppressed. I think we should acknowledge that positivity is one part of the range of emotions that humans feel, and that the more negative emotions we experience shouldn’t be suppressed.

Each piece in this exhibition reflects some part of the more negative emotions I feel or have felt at some point in my life. Each piece is personal to me. As someone who wants to become an art therapist, I find that drawing out my emotions not only benefits me mentally, but I also learn more about myself with each piece. I use graphite and charcoal to express myself in my art because I find that charcoal is chaotic, wild, raw, and sometimes unpredictable, just like how emotions can be. Graphite, however, is more stable and controlled, which gives me more control.