jason lee rhyno

{JASON LEE RHYNO ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS}

What medium(s) do you work in?
Pencil, coloured pencil and pen on paper. In the past I have worked in assemblage and collage as well as painting and photography. But for now, my focus has been on drawing.

What question do you wish would be asked in an interview and how would you answer it?
I am always interested in hearing about the thought processes of other artists. I'm not a creative thinker, my approach to art making is methodical, so I find it fascinating to read about the creative ways in which artists come about their work.

Why art? and why art in Hamilton?
Drawing. I love to draw. I've been making the same little drawings since I was a kid in grade school. When you are a shy, quiet, awkward kid, drawing is the easiest way to make friends. Instant gratification, and the need to be liked.

As for why art in Hamilton. Hamilton is a city you can afford to work in. Cheap rent. The art community seems to be moving along well in Hamilton. Art crawl along James North is always exciting.

Who or what inspires you?
Pretty girls, beautiful boys.

Any wisdom you'd like to share about living as an artist?
Perseverance. Perseverance. Perseverance.

Jason Lee Rhyno is a Hamilton-based artist who works primarily with the drawing medium. Born in Toronto, Rhyno moved to Hamilton and persued studies at the Dundas Valley School of Art. The artist reconciles various influences; his fascination with underground youth culture of the past 20 years is coupled with a love of Jenny Saville and Luc Tuymans. Rhyno’s drawings suggest a preoccupation with line and juxtaposing negative space with masses of colour. The results are sensitive and engrossing portraits that challenge the viewer to find balance within a dense, heavily worked surface. Rhyno has collaborated with Independent American, filmmaker Cam Archer and has been featured in publications such as ‘Celery’ and ‘RaiseUp’.