Jansen was born in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia in 1970 and his talent was already evident when he won first prize in the ‘Beautiful Malaysia’ national competition in 1988. He graduated from Kuala Lumpur College of Art in 1992 and has been a full time artist ever since. In 1994-96 Jansen undertook post graduate studies at the Art Student League of New York and benefited from a stint with the late American watercolourist, Mario Cooper. Since then he has won numerous of awards in the USA and Canada as well as in Malaysia. In 1997, 2001 and 2004 he presented his work in solo exhibitions in Malaysia.
Jansen has pushed the watercolour medium to uncharted waters with several signature techniques like the stardust highlights, the sequin effect and a mock photographic solarisation (silver gelatin grain) in ‘free-frame’ stills.
Some of his watercolours are larger than normal and he likes the challenge. “The preparations are more important than the size”, he says, “because even a small mistake can spoil it. The work has to be well thought out in terms of subject and execution with the larger watercolour paper ‘primed’ with gesso for layerings as well as to make it thicker as if done by acrylic.” He also mixes the gesso with the watercolours for effect and uses bigger brushes than normal, and likes to use more ‘dangerous’ colours and unconventional settings.
Prices are subject to confirmation by La Luna Gallery
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