JERI GREENBERG
Interview MAY 2021

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I need to remember to always look. Artists see the world so differently than "regular people", and that's a good thing.

MAY 1:  Jeri Greenberg demonstration via Zoom. This is an exclusive presentation for PSST members. Enjoy all that PSST offers --  join as a member. ​

PSST:  Jeri, you have separated your art into three categories--people, places, things. The paintings in each category seem to be telling different stories:  The people are reflective, the interiors quiet/abandoned, and the still lifes zing with color. Please tell us your thinking and inspiration behind choosing these opposing subject matters.

JERI:  Thank you for noticing that I paint now in different genres, tho I have been told often that you can tell it's my work by the broken color and mark making!

​I started my career as a fashion illustrator and designer many years ago in NYC and from the earliest age I was drawing and painting figures. That is my comfort zone. When I am at an "inspiration standstill", I always go back to painting a figure. It kickstarts my energy. With all my paintings, no matter the subject, I want to tell a story. What is my model thinking? Why is she in that place?

I make it very clear that the viewer's story doesn't have to match mine, I just want the viewer to take away a story, not just "oh that's a nice painting"  To that end I began doing more and more figure work in urban settings. The stories became bigger in my mind. My work started to get noticed more. I started to become more confident and adventurous in subject matter.
 
When I started teaching workshops around the country, hiring models wasn't possible; that's how I became a lover of still life painting. Becoming known as someone who wants to make the "ordinary extraordinary" flowed along as my still life setups are all done with a story in my mind. What are those apples talking about? Why did that lemon turn away from the flowerpot? Believing that these inanimate objects had personalities made me experiment even more with color choices. I let myself get more experimental and bolder. Remember I came from an illustration background of black white and grey, so this was a big push for me.
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My interiors started years ago with a painting of my bed in the sunlight. This painting was very well received and it led me to a series of beds and bedrooms, some with figures, but most alone, empty, waiting... I've been painting interesting corners of rooms in houses and in stores (pre-pandemic when visiting was ok) and even inside my fridge and closet. Inspiration can come from anywhere. I need to remember to always look. Artists see the world so differently than "regular people", and that's a good thing.

Painting by Jeri Greenberg

PSST:  Dark tones and shadows seem to play an important role in your paintings. How did this come about? 

JERI:  I love drama! haha my friends and family would say that for sure. Seriously I love working on black paper, and finding the mystery that shadows can hold.

If you look closely at my work, there are many colors in my darks. I find that rich dark colors will make that bit of light and warmth extra special. 

​Years ago I took a workshop on loving dark paper and I've never stopped. 

Visit Jeri's Website

Painting by Jeri Greenberg

Becoming known as someone who wants to make the "ordinary extraordinary" flowed along as my still life setups are all done with a story in my mind. What are those apples talking about? Why did that lemon turn away from the flowerpot? Believing that these inanimate objects had personalities made me experiment even more with color choices. ​

Painting by Jeri Greenberg