Autobiography
GLEN JOSSELSOHN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
“I always wanted to do something artistic, but I’m an entrepreneur by nature,” says Glen Josselsohn. Mentored by his mother, artist Gail Josselsohn, Glen enjoyed painting from an early age. Since then, the 39 year-old’s career has taken a number of interesting twists. “I’ve worked in IT, recruitment, insurance, and the renovation of high-end residential property,” he explains. “However, when the property market took a tumble, I had to be a lot more proactive. It was important to diversify, and I began to discover new markets for my paintings.”
With a distinctively contemporary style, Glen paints on paper using silk dye, ink and a paint compound. “I have a strong affinity for the modernists – Miro, Pollock, Mondrian – they’ve all had a major influence on my work.” He’s also drawn to African art, and to the textures and colours of natural materials like clay and stone. His series of black and white figures, created using a drip technique to give an almost 3D finish, has become popular with interior designers. “A few of these ended up in Paris, and a soccer-themed version that I painted for the World Cup was bought by a professional player in Ireland. That was extremely rewarding!”
With several projects on the go at once, Glen tends to paint on weekends at his studio in Parkhurst. “Work pressures mean that I probably get to dedicate one weekend a month to painting,” he says. “But it really is a form of meditation – I have enormous fun with it, and I get a big kick out of the fact that people like what I do.” Glen’s work has been bought by the Marion on Nicol Boutique Hotel as well as Radisson Platinum gym, he has also been featured on Top Billing.
Looking forward, one of Glen’s goals is to become known internationally. “I’d like to live and work in Cape Town, and to promote my work in Europe,” he says. “In the short term, I’m looking at various gallery spaces in Joburg where I can display my paintings, and I continue to take on commissions. I’m also working on big canvases as an alternative to paper - experimenting with the drip technique and seeing where that might lead.”
Apart from gym training four times a week, you’ll find Glen on the golf course when he has some spare time. “I’m pretty sporty, and I think that sense of movement has come through in my figure paintings to some degree. I like to keep healthy, and the discipline involved in keeping fit is just as necessary in painting. You have to be in the right frame Of mind, and on a good day I’ll paint for hours.”
Creativity certainly runs in this businessman’s blood. “My grandfather was a prolific painter and he had a naïve style which I really appreciated. But it’s my mother Gail who’s given me the encouragement and the stylistic guidance. I will always be grateful to her for that.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
