I have been invited to show several pieces at the upcoming exhibition, Water Worlds, An Exhibition Exploring the Essence of Water (details follow). It’s the first time that I will have multiple pieces at a show, which is very exciting.

I was asked to provide an artist statement to accompany the work. It’s been a long time since I’ve written an artist statement and I’ve never written one based on my visual art.

I’m very happy with my final statement. Here it is. Thank you for reading.

Jason McInnes

Artist Statement

Spring 2022

Gather sustaining provisions.

Reinforce the tunnel walls. 

Chip away the stone, blow by blow.

I work like a miner pursuing a vein of gold; the precarious notion that, through the mastery of materials, I become the master of my own existence.

I was built, broken and rebuilt in the midwest of the United States, although I now reside in New Mexico. I am a music-centric teaching artist by vocation.  I build systems of learning in my visual and music-based artmaking, which I use to fortify my resolve to “be here now”. 

I am drawn to uncomplicated mark making materials. I gravitate toward simple tools like pencils, charcoal and erasers because they are readily available. I dig for universal truths in the tip of a common ballpoint pen. I work alongside the sun; freeing it to develop its greyscale along with me. I choose media that can easily fit in a backpack, be pulled from a pocket on a walk through the desert foothills, or can be worked with in limited studio space. 

A mixture of celestial light and human-made light, like street lamps and illuminated signage, dependably grab attention. So does the crisp edge of a line of mesquite trees cutting into a blue sky. My work reflects these relationships as a way to offer reverence to the cosmos as well as serving as a path to keep nourished and grounded. 

Water Worlds, An Exhibition Exploring the Essence of Water, Opening Night Reception

The Anchor Building at Trader Todd’s Marina, 24030 Jefferson, Saint Clair Shores MI 48080

This exhibition is made possible with the cooperation of KB Studios, Chicago IL and is curated by artist and educator Kaye Buchman. This show demonstrates various artists’ interest in honoring and preserving our most precious resource – water. A portion of proceeds from the sale of work will go to the Alliance for the Great Lakes. The show will open on June 10 and run through June 30.Featured Artists are:Jason McInnes
Mary Ridley
Mary Gomberg
Susan Gamerman
Katharine Hathaway
Kathleen Maltese
Phyllis Rabineau
Sue Teller
Janet Wishinsky
Joan Baer
Virginia Carstarphen
Kay Buchman