In Other Studios: (Jax Partlow)

Jax Partlow is a stained and leaded glass artist, currently living in Mexico City.

We had the opportunity of visiting her studio/workshop engaging in a conversation about her journey into the world of stained glass. During our visit, she shared insights into her background, discussed her inspirations, and demonstrated her artistic process as she worked on a new piece.

What do you consider to be your most significant source of inspiration?

Inspiration is such a hard thing to say exactly. For me it’s like a web of all the things. All the experiences, conversations, love, dinners, travels, reading, internet searches, highs/lows and making little connections between them all.

Is there a specific message or theme that you seek to convey through your work?

emphasize the intentionality behind artistic creation

Maybe ease, contrast or beauty. But it can also just be a utilitarian ornament. I think my work is not complicated or entitled. It’s a moment of expression or understanding. I always hope the work speaks for itself and the viewer interprets it as they please, regardless of my feelings.

How do you interpret darkness in your work?

The obvious answer with this is in darkness my work disappears. But ironically the start of my practice comes from a dark place of grief. My dad did stained glass when I was a kid and when he passed I was left his tools. Looking for a means to cope, in a way I found stained glass.

How important is "lightness" in your art, whether in terms of light, color, weight, or other aspects?

Lightness is extremely important, in being and in creation. With glass, I like to make this heavy, linear material flow and seem weightless, organic and painterly. I use only transparent or soft colors to achieve this and in turn allows more light through the work. Lightness in being is essential, I am not interested in the life of a tortured artist. I need laughter, I need joy, I need time, sunshine and intention. These things I feel as light.

How would you define balance and how do you achieve it?

Balance to me is a seemingly effortless thing, the feeling of “just right” mixed with something kind of off. I think it is one of the hardest things to achieve and comes with time. I’m formally trained in graphic design, so in that sense it’s a science. I refer to the Gestalt principles a lot, so much so it's ingrained in how I work, this helps create balance with logic. As for balance in life, moderation and knowing when to leave the party.