Nanou Jacobs

May 18

Eindhoven, Netherlands

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How would you describe your work?

I am fascinated by the line and enjoy drawing. My drawings are a play of lines and marks that are connected to form abstract maps, landscapes or spaces. They are powerful, vibrant, and exploratory. In my drawings, the process and the craftsmanship are certainly visible.

What inspires you?

I get my inspiration from the moments I'm outside, or just the things around me, but especially by doing!

Can you tell us something about your process?

When it comes to my process, I have several approaches to starting a drawing. When I'm in nature, I often start with observational drawing, especially blind drawings to feel the space with eye and hand.

From that moment on, I switch to a more abstracted style. In my studio, I focus on exploring and experimenting with different materials, styles, colors or concepts. I often challenge myself not to create something specific, but to create something new by drawing intuitively and freely. Sometimes new drawings reveal themselves or become a starting point for a series of drawings. I also like to reuse old drawings and combine parts of them with new lines to create my collage drawings. I don't want the paper size to limit my freedom. I try to create as freely as possible!

I like variety and usually work on several projects at the same time. That keeps me on my toes and some drawings also need a 'rest'. I usually don't see their meaning until later.

How did you become interested in art?

As a child I loved writing, paper and nature. This passion continued to grow during my studies in floral design and landscape architecture. In art, everything comes together.

Do you have any favorite artists, movies, books, or quotes?

I admire many artists, but special ones for me are David Hockney, Richard Diebenkorn, Per Kirkeby, Cy Twombly, Brice Marden, Terry Winter, Joan Mitchell, Alberto Giacometti and Vincent van Gogh.

For color study I view artwork from Etel Adnan, Sean Scully, Mark Rothko and Nicolas de Stael.

I love to watch the interviews on the Louisiana Channel and read biographies of artists. Some favorite books are "Man with a Blue Scarf." Portrait of Lucian Freud', 'A Larger Message Conversations with David Hockney' and 'Spring cannot be cancelled, David Hockney in Normandy' by Martin Gayford.

Quotes

“sometimes you must unlearn what you have learned !‘’ David Hockney

“I carry my landscapes around with me” Joan Mitchell

“Don’t worry about how you ‘should’ draw it. Just draw it the way you see it. “ Tim Burton