Beaches Exhibit Interviews Continued…Jojo Songlark and Dolph Beornssen

We first encountered the lovely Australian artist Jojo Songlark through another charming friend of Ce Soir Arts, the very creative and kind Jan (H0n2a). He has been a regular companion at Poet Laureate Russell Eponym’s readings at The Magic Tree for some time, and when he discovered our Côte de la Mer Galerie & Lawn, he suggested we might want to view Jojo’s work. As her curator, Jan assists Jojo with various aspects of exhibiting, and so we traveled out that very evening to view her work. We were immediately taken by the composition and vibrancy of her photographs. The subjects varied, but always included a depiction of the beauty of the natural world as it is experienced in our virtual environment. Jojo captures the essence of what is conveyed about the scene by light and colour in each piece, making each one unique and full of life. Her first exhibit here at Ce Soir Arts – titled Through My Eyes – was indeed a look into how Jojo views the worlds around her. The four photographs displayed at the Beaches Art Exhibit each tell a story, capturing the spirit of summer. Viewing her photographs is a pictorial adventure not to be missed, and a joyous experience that will remain with you long after summer has gone.

Dolph Beornssen may be “new” to the Second Life® art world, but he has been avidly snapping photos since his first day. Fascinated by anything Valhalla, this Norseman seeks out various locations to explore the Viking mythos. His works here depict that focus. Both taken at the Tol Lasgalen sim – a beautiful seaport – each photograph evokes the feeling of a long journey completed. Indeed, there is a sense of peace and relief on gazing at the longboat approaching port or resting there. One can imagine that in the expanse of sea beyond the port awaits adventure untold, and that in that secure harbour there rests tranquility and a sense of being home at last. By sensitivity to light and shadow, Dolph has captured the emotional ties of wandering seafarers to their home ports. As you gaze into the photos, you can appreciate the siren’s call to wanderlust and the deep-breath sense of returning home as the longboats pull into harbor from their voyages. You will enjoy these Viking-themed photographs and all they represent.

THE INTERVIEWS…

Jojo Songlark:

M: What started you off on the adventure of creating art in your life – in-world or otherwise? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your creative energies?

JOJO: It all started for me as a child of about 6…I loved to immerse myself into my children’s books, with all the beautiful colorful illustrations & pictures. It was those books that inspired me to start my adventures into drawing, until it became obvious that I was at my happiest with my art materials and books around me. At first it was an escape from the conflict going on around me, until it grew into the love of my life.

M: What do you like best about the SecondLife® experience? How has it enriched or otherwise informed your artistic work – your process, perspective, choice of media?

JOJO: It was SL’s creativity that drew me here in the first place and continues to do so. Some activities help to relax and express myself, like for example improving my avatar…I love to create her outfits by mixing and matching. 😀 However, I get most joy from taking my raw & unedited photos which shows the beauty of what people are building here, plus the viewer tools help me to add my own impressions, by modifying the environment with changes in the light conditions and choosing from the many angles and perspectives of my subjects, just as I would do if I were to actually paint them…in my minds eye, I am forever “seeing” my subjects as a “painted” canvas, imagining it from start to finish, the colors I would use and the order of layers. Perhaps less time spent in SL and actually sitting at my easel would bring my imaginings to fruition….lol.

M: Inspiration is important to us at Ce Soir Arts. Where do you most often find the inspiration for your work? What about for your work in the BEACHES exhibit?

JOJO: My inspiration comes mostly from nature sims and the ability to play with the WindLight®, and also, anywhere there is water, beaches, rivers etc. Years ago I lived right on Bondi beach in Sydney, and to be able to watch the sea from my window was awesome and now in RL, I still live nearby the sea and have always found it immensely enjoyable to walk along a beach, listening and watching the waves crashing, or just observe a turbulent sea by sitting in my car…the wilder the weather, the more awesome! When I take SL photos, I try to share my emotions in my pics.

M: How about the future? What do you forecast or dream for yourself in regards your artistic vision and other creative endeavours?

JOJO: Creativity in SL awakens the constant urge to be creative in RL. It reminds me of how much I love to draw and paint so it helps me to come back to it, though not as often as I would like. In SL, places appear and disappear quickly, so I’d like to think the sims I visit and photograph will help to stay in peoples memories because of my art. So, about the future, RL often gets in the way but I NEED to paint MORE, I find sooo very much that is inspiring in SL. Also, in the past I worked with clay and loved it…I still remember my first attempts, a little elephant was among them. Not too long ago, I tried my hand at digital sculpting and found that immensely satisfying and as a result it will be another area for me to jump into.

M: Thank you so much, Jojo, for again sharing your beautiful work with us in this exhibit – and a bit about what inspires you. We look forward to your new directions and will enjoy inviting you back for more!

Dolph Beornssen:

M: What started you off on the adventure of creating art in your life – in-world or otherwise? Was there a specific moment or experience that sparked your creative energies?

DOLPH: This exhibit was, in fact, a galvanizing moment for me in creativity. I have long admired the range of object and scenic creation of builders in SL, but the theme (“Beaches”) of this exhibit allowed me to focus my energies on what I found particularly profound and beautiful at the SL port of Tol Lasgalen. I was very surprised to see-not one-but two of my pictures accepted for display at the Ce Soir Arts gallery. It’s very encouraging and motivating to me.

M: What do you like best about the SecondLife® experience? How has it enriched or otherwise informed your artistic work – your process, perspective, choice of media?

DOLPH: Though I have long considered artistic creation in Second Life®, this is my first foray into the creative experience. The support and encouragement I have received through this exhibit has ensured that I will take this leap again.

M: Inspiration is important to us at Ce Soir Arts. Where do you most often find the inspiration for your work? What about for your work in the BEACHES exhibit?

DOLPH: The focus of BEACHES as a theme helped me to direct my creative energies in an area that I found personally compelling and inspirational. I have a relationship with the sea in RL, and find expression of that here.

M: How about the future? What do you forecast or dream for yourself in regards your artistic vision and other creative endeavours?

DOLPH: I hope to use my visual expressions to drive my inevitable goals of building my own three-dimensional art in SL. I am a Norseman (kind of a Norse Cowboy) in RL and a Viking in my soul; the adventure of building art excites and satisfies me.

M: We are grateful to have discovered your work, Dolph, and pleased that you have chosen to share it with us through this exhibit. We look ahead to your new creations!

This posting about two more of the 12 artists exhibiting at the BEACHES Art Exhibit at Côte de la Mer Galerie & Lawn has been a joy to present, and we trust you are enjoying learning a bit more about some of those who share their work in-world. We would love to interview every artist active in-world. We’re (sort of) working on it, so stay tuned! The BEACHES Art Exhibit will be open through August (and perhaps a week or two beyond); we hope you will come to enjoy…and be inspired tonight!