Please introduce yourself. What ignited your passion for art?

Hello there! I’m Jude Wainwright, I am an artist living and working in Manchester, having settled here after receiving a BA Hons in Fine Art/ Painting from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2009.

I’m currently based at AWOL studios, Ancoats. I am also an active member of the artist collective 10STRONG.

My work has been commissioned by both commercial and private collectors throughout the UK, including commissions for television dramas and film.

I was named ‘Manc of The Month’ in November 2022, by Cotton On MCR. I reached the semi-final of Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2022.

It’s tough to say what ignited my passion for art, I don’t think it was one thing, as long as I can remember its always just ‘been there’. I went to art classes from the age of 4, having always wanted to paint, draw, just create anything! It’s a compulsion really.

How did you get into portraiture? Would you say you’re interested in human psychology?

I have always found portraits most inspire me. I find portraiture simply fascinating, it’s so easy to get lost in paintings & sculptures. Staring into the eyes of the subject can transport me back in time, I love to imagine their thoughts and feelings captured at that exact moment. The cliched windows to the soul, but it’s so true, I spend the most amount of time painting my subjects’ eyes for this reason.

I’m an avid watcher of crime documentaries too, serial killer specials etc. delving into what makes people tick, (especially the baddies). I’m quite interested in body language and non-verbal communication at the moment. We can express so much without saying a word; facial expressions, body posture, gestures, just generally how one operates within a space. I love that and artist can convey so much in a portrait using just these assets.

Many of your works are self-portraits, why is this? What would you like to convey through these paintings? Do you find that painting yourself helps you in any way?

I paint self-portraits as a way of holding a mirror up to myself. Painting for me, is a form of escape, releasing an idea, a dream or memory onto canvas. Much like diary entries, the paintings serve as keepsakes, a space for reflection and rumination.

My ideas are formed autonomously, often the result of dreams or flashes of thought, then committed to canvas. I like to step back and gather meaning retrospectively.

Painting myself is like a form of therapy, there are often themes of loneliness, isolation, anxiety and self-reflection in my work. Mostly solitary, ‘Jude’s’ existing in a world of my own making, each painting seeking conversation, understanding and ultimately, validation. My whole process is an attempt to ‘help myself’ I’d say.

You reached the semi-final of Sky Portrait Artist of the Year in 2022. Tell me about your experience on the show. What did you gain from the experience? Did you find any elements challenging?

Possibly one of the most terrifying, draining and anxiety inducing experiences of my life. But I’m so glad I took the leap and did it. The program is run by an amazing team who genuinely love art and want to celebrate portraiture. You really get to ‘know yourself’ in high pressure situations though, pushing yourself Is a must I believe and inspires good changes. Oh, and practicing 4 hour portraits in the comfort of my studio is not the same as painting live on the day! Interviews, cameras, an audience, a celebrity in front of you, all make for good distractions! You really have to find a way to block everything out, and fast.

Reflecting on the experience though it was immensely positive in many ways. I went into filming worrying I was about to be ‘found out’, a real imposter amongst professionals. I had never shown my process before, let alone had it filmed for TV! But instead, I now feel rewarded and validated and the judges’ comments about my work will stay with me forever.

The whole thing reminded me how important trustworthy feedback and conversation is as part of my work.

Thinking about your piece ‘Reflex’, what was your inspiration for this work? Tell me about your creative process from start to finish.

This painting was a flicker of a dream I had while napping on a long car journey. I saw myself painting a reflection in a stream momentarily and then I woke up and made a note on my phone. It’s an odd one, dreams or flashes as I mentioned above often inspire my work, but not often as clear as that.

I posed in my leotard at my studio about 100 times to get the body position right, I do prefer to work from reference. A lot was painted on the hoof to try and maintain the subliminal sentiment to the painting. The title ‘Reflex’ in part comes from the fact that the process surrounding the painting was formed without conscious thought, a response to some inner stimulus (whatever that may be). It has become one of my favourites now.

Out of all the work you have created, which piece are you most proud of and why?

My most favourite painting now is a small self-portrait I did in August 2021, I since named it to differentiate between my other self-portraits of similar size, as they’re part of an ongoing series of small quick studies.

This painting almost fell out of me, it was so quick, each stroke was so meaningful and not overworked. It’s the first time I had ever done a full face on self-portrait too, there’s something quite iconic looking about it. It’s one of the best depictions of ‘me’ I believe, there’s a loneliness and anxiety present, the eyes are quite piercing and soul searching. It holds a special place now too, as it’s the self-portrait I submitted to sky arts to get on the show, so sentimentally it is my favourite.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given as an artist?

Something I try to repeat to myself daily is the importance of creating art for yourself and not just to please others. Especially nowadays, it’s so easy to create work to ‘fit the algorithm’, but ultimately where would be the fun in that?

I believe authenticity is key and if you create what is truly in your heart, you can’t go wrong.

Do you have a favourite tool in your studio? If so, what is it and why?

I have recently bought a ‘Tube wringer’ and if you use paints and don’t have one, you simply must purchase one now. They squeeze out the paint from your tubes and it’s the most satisfying experience. I’ve been digging out old tubes that I thought were done for and lo and behold, more paint!!

Who is your favourite artist? If they were sat next to you right now, what would you ask them? Do they have an influence on your work?

I hold many artists dear to my heart, but Francis Bacon is one of my favourites. His artwork stabs straight into my soul. I guess I would love to ask him what he thinks of my work, not for vanity reasons but the way he speaks about artwork is so poetic. I often struggle to talk about my paintings in a way that does them justice and when I read Bacon attaching descriptions to his work, I’m filled with awe, it’d be cool to see if he has anything to offer mine.

It’s hard to explain his influence on my work though, I wish to just be able to create a painting that inspires feelings as so graphically as he can. When I look at a Bacon painting, so much screams off the canvas; a whole aura of feeling is transferred to the viewer with what really isn’t that many brush strokes. I’d like to be able to shoot my own feelings into someone as deeply as that.

Why do you think art is important in society?

For anyone like me, art provides an escape. A place to go to and be part of somewhere else, even if just for a moment. Whether creating it or viewing it, art can inspire, validate, comfort and confront.

I believe having our emotions stimulated is vital. Be it a happy or sad feeling, the undulation art can create within us is like doing a sort of mental yoga. It feels good to feel.

https://www.judewainwright.com

ARTIST INTERVIEW: Jude Wainwright