Doc: Mr. Jetten, How did you get started in collage?
RJ: I used to make collage comics, and nearly three years ago, Nikki Burkett, one of the best artists in Mobile, really, suggested I make art collages. I started on January 1, 2007.
Recently, I have had three solo art shows focusing on my collage series, the MakeWorldGooder Factory Tour: June 2009- Liquid Sushi Lounge, July 2009- Serda’s Coffee Co., August 2009- Mobile Arts Council Skinny Gallery (I hung 120 pieces in this one) (http://bama.live.advance.net/news/press-register/press.ssf?/base/community/125041419699710.xml&coll=3). Also I have shown my collages in four Art shows at Satori Coffee, three curated by Sarah Parvadeh (including the Redemption show- http://blog.al.com/just-coasting/2009/01/redemption_contemporary_art_ev.html) and one by Ashleah Pinquite (http://bama.live.advance.net/news/press-register/press.ssf?/base/community/125041419699710.xml&coll=3). My art is currently hanging the Blind Mule Restaurant and the Crescent Theater, both in downtown Mobile AL. I curated the June artwalk show at the Blind Mule.http://www.mobilearts.org/artists/artist_detail.php?detail=93.http://www.shearsman.com/pages/books/catalog/2008/samuels.html.http://blog.al.com/jere-hough/2009/08/mobile_arts_council_program_le.html
I am a member of the Mobile Arts Council.My collage “Puppeteer and Audience” was used for the cover of Lisa Samuels’ collection of poetry The Invention of Culture. I have dabbled in collage animation. It can be seen at www.phonosutra.com. I participated in the visiting artist program at Pillans Middle School for a total of four days. The first two days, I showed students how to make collages. The other two days were spent making animals out of various garbage materials. The resulting art from these visits and other artists’ visits were hung in the Mobile Arts Council Skinny Gallery along with art from students at Dunbar Middle School. Some photos of the collages and the animals can be seen at www.thesquarescomics.blogspot.com. I spent five days volunteering with the Boys and Girls Club and helped build the Living Marina, a community garden project.
Doc: How did you get started with cartooning and the Squares?
RJ: The Squares started in Tuscaloosa, AL. Since the year 2000, the Squares has delighted readers young and old with its minimal approach to the single gag comic strip. The Squares comics has been published in three Alabama publications- Express magazine (Auburn AL), the Strip magazine (Tuscaloosa AL), the Harbinger magazine (Mobile AL) and a Webzine, American Nerd. There have been 50 zine booklets of the Squares each containing 24 strips. Books 1-5 were compiled into a larger collection, “The Squares the Original Comic Strip Soundtrack Recording Vol 1” which contains 120 strips and an hour long CD of local/regional music. Books 6-10 were compiled into “The Squares the Original Comic Strip Soundtrack Recording Vol 2” which included a 2nd hour long local/regional music compilation. The Squares are online- www.squarescomics.com.
Doc: What new media would you like to pursue?
RJ: My collage style is currently minimalizing before my eyes. Also interested in art made of found objects and kitchen goods.
Doc: What are your upcoming projects?
RJ: I am currently working on a large (door sized) collage which will be made of artwork by between 60 and 100 local and regional artists. http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group.php?gid=109048458123.
also I make recycled notepads using old record sleeves, VHS boxes, and beer trash as the covers. They can be found at Satori Coffee, the Crescent Theater, and the Paper Wasp (go check out the Paper Wasp!!! it’s on Dauphin Street on Cathedral Square. It is unbelievable!!) And I have them in front of the Mobile Arts Council Building every artwalk.
Also, I will be heavily involved in the Downtown Creative Wellness Foundation, a multifunctional art and wellness space, with an emphasis on education and community. Other artists involved in this amazing endeavor are Zach Depolo, Trey Lane, Will Fawcett, Sarah P, Katie Moody, Jimmy Lee, Nikki Burkett, Ashelea Pinquite, Michelle Brown, Courtney Matthews, Morgan Johnson, and April Hopkins. We’ll be putting on a Fashion Show October 2, and a Haunted Hospital fundraiser the 2nd half of October. www.phonosutra.com for updates.
Doc: What would you like to change for the Mobile Bay artists’ environment?
RJ: I think all the changes I would like to see are already underway. The arts are growing. That’s a good thing.
Doc: Any spiritual/philosophic advice for Coastal Alabamans?
RJ: Meditate. And read George Herriman’s Krazy Kat comics.
Doc: Thank you for your time Mr. Jetten.
