10/5/23
Interviews
"The more you like what you do, the stronger the work will be."
Artist Jessica Alazraki on the first drawing class she ever took and representing Latinx artists.
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Great artists make artists. And to prove that point, over 70 of today's greatest have contributed their work in support of Children's Museum of the Arts' Emergency Arts Education Fund, establishing utterly ambitious art programs in New York City schools that need them most.
Bidding for the online auction concludes Thursday, October 19 at 12 PM EDT. Bid now. Bid often. Bid here.
Below, meet auction artist Jessica Alazraki.
Gabriel Dayan (Jessica’s son)
Hidden Tigger
wash on paper
Age 7
Gabriel Dayan (Jessica’s son)
Pregnant Woman
charcoal on paper
Age 4
Do you have a favorite memory of making art as a child?
I remember trying to draw my grandparent's pictures in a notebook. I wasn't good at it; I didn't have a natural sense of proportion like other kids. I have a passion for color and a good innate sense of composition.
What advice would you give to young artists who wish to pursue an art practice?
Art is only for some; you need to make too many sacrifices. It’s not practical or rational. But if it’s your calling, believe in yourself and surround yourself with other artists and people who value what you do. That support is everything. Work as hard as you can and always stay true to yourself. The more you like what you do, the stronger the work will be.
How does working with children inspire you?
My paintings are about family and children. Being a parent is integral to who I am and what I do. I am also Latina, and family is a strong value, and I celebrate that in my work.
When did you first know you were going to be an artist?
It was the first drawing class I ever took, at the JCC in Manhattan while my daughter was in nursery school. I never thought I would spend my life painting, but now it’s more than something I do … I am incredibly devoted to it. It became my entire life.
Can you describe a formative experience visiting a museum or gallery?
I saw America is Hard to See at the Whitney Museum in 2005, right when the new building opened. I immediately noticed the need for more representation of Latinx artists. I was taking courses for my MFA at the time, and that’s when I decided I wanted to paint portraits of Latinx families as a celebration of my culture and as a bond with immigrants like me.
Jessica Alazraki
Boy singing
oil on linen
