Moira Cue: You've had an amazing life. One of
the stories I remember hearing about was being offered an
official post via Václav Havel, the “Playwright
President,” which you turned down. Can you elaborate on
that?
Jarka Jaroslava Sobiskova: When I finished
school (UW Wisconsin, Madison, 1993) I decided to go back to the
Czech Republic. I wanted to be part of the post revolution
rebuilding of the new era. I landed a great job working for Dasha
Havel in the Civic Forum Foundation. It was great team to work with
and I met many interesting people and could be part of forming of
the new republic. I was offered promotion but I could not commit.
I knew that if I chose this career I would never go back to my
art, so I quit.
Moira Cue: You also are incredibly prolific. You
must have, literally thousands of works in a broad variety of
media. How would you describe this body of work to some one who
doesn't know about you?
Jarka Jaroslava Sobiskova: Painting is my world
that is where I feel best at. It heals my soul that is why I
can't give it up. Through the many years of art making I went
through many different media and styles—abstract,
realistic, decorative abstract, then again beck to realistic. It
is constant exploration.
I use variety of media to express myself: encaustic, acrylic,
clay, and felting. The last six years I have been working with
wool doing wet felting. This process is like this magical
journey. I meet the famers I get my wool from. I go visit when
the baby lambs are born and when the wool is harvested. All that
experience becomes part of the artwork. Starting working with
wool was a natural progression. I always love to work with
texture. That is one thing which connects all my work.
Moira Cue: How has your process as an artist
changed over the years?
Jarka Jaroslava Sobiskova: One thing I regret is
that my paintings got smaller. I love to paint big. It is
difficult with large pieces; it is hard to store them, and not
many places can show them. Now since I started to work in fiber,
I can do larger work, and when I am done I can just fold it
up.
Moira Cue: What inspires you?
Jarka Jaroslava Sobiskova: Most of my
inspiration comes from nature and my feelings. My art it is like
an extension of me. As I said before making my artwork makes me
feel good and I hope that it has the same effect on the
viewers.
www.jarka.ws