Orissa Jenkins

New World School of the Arts

Artist Statement

Mr. Jenkins tapped on his desk impatiently then looked towards the clock. An hour lingered before the usual closing time at Bank Atlantic. Twenty minutes pressed on and just when his hopes rose for a lax day at work, a customer decides to approach him. Where would he be if he had decided to pursue his talents in art? What type of college would he have attended if he had not married and taken on the responsibilities of fatherhood? How many people have asked themselves this question? Not only in the arts, but in engineering, medicine, teaching ...anything that involved pursuing their dream. It is true when they say that the majority do not accomplish their ideal career goals. However, I intend to be that exception.

I consider being a visual artist a life skill. I can use my experience in a myriad of fields whether a designer for a corporation or as a fine artist.

Through my artwork, I do not find myself consciously inspired by any specific artist and I intend to focus my pieces on any topic that spurs from my surroundings. The content of my work is based on things that are not noticeable to the public. If not that, it focuses on issues that I feel should be acknowledged and taken into action. This would include issues associated with the disintegrating structure of black families to just revealing the actual percentage we use of our brain. Once I have found the idea that I will be working with I would rough out the presentation in my sketchbook. The materials I use are decided when I find the feeling I want. Without a sense of feeling, the piece will lose a sense of connection between the viewer and the artist. Symbols of color often play into my work. Depending on how I want to render a subject, I can have one item highlighted in color just to interpret what I want to convey. I am still experimenting with the infinite possibilities of how to present my work.

Artists can be easily squeezed into being politicians, inventors, and even psychologists. I take great pleasure in knowing that in either of these titles, in some way, I have the power of touching people. I believe that through my passion for art there is motivation and without motivation there is no catalyst for the success you would aim for in any career.