Randall Jay - Artist's Statement

All art is about discovery on some level. I enjoy being a discoverer. I am not trying to 'capture' anything in my work. I would say that I'm attempting to explore something that can't be captured. If I'm lucky I end up with something beautiful and new. But it is always something that couldn't have been envisioned beforehand. I love the surprise and I find collage to be a near perfect medium for this sort of visual discovery. It is also an aid to Self-discovery.

Through a process of trial and error one finds out what it is that is wanted. What does the work want? It will let you know.

What inspires me is the outrageous multiplicity of form(s) in this crazy beautiful world. I love mixing very disparate elements and seeing them work together in a seamless way. The finished piece ends up being true to itself, with its own gravity and its own set of rules.

The artistic process is mysterious. When things are working one is just a vessel from which the art is born. With small pieces this is often just a matter of a few elements 'clicking into place'. With some large collages I might tinker away for weeks or months. There are a few unfinished large pieces now that have been 'cooking' slowly for years. Will they ever be finished? You're asking me?

"Shift" by Randall Jay