Meet Jacqueline Secor | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Secor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
My work is inspired by all species throughout nature and the risk they take in creating incredible art forms around the world. Humans are only minute contributors to these beautiful images, from the pufferfish nest, the bowerbird courtship rituals, to man’s Venus of Willendorf and Stonehenge. Biology is the greatest contributor of masterpieces, from instinct, trial and error, natural talent, to sheer determination; we all benefit from its magnificence.

During my BFA program in 2012, I became fascinated by prehistoric art, especially female figurines – it portrays that society may have been more matriarchal rather than patriarchal. It also depicts worship to a supreme female earth deity. In my first art series, I painted abstracted whales that focused on the repetition of line. Indigenous cultures from the Northwest coast portrayed primal woman and whale as one, offering themselves to their community for their survival, both holding a position of honor. My work focuses on the oval and spiral motif — rich in feminine symbolism, representing the notion of growth, fertility, life, and death.

I started working on the Diversity of Nature Series in 2015, and decided to showcase this work and message. This series was never intended to be seen by the public, but as a way to cope with my body dysmorphia, and transition out of a patriarchal religion that taught me to conceal my body, opinions, and ultimately, my power.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The most important factor behind the success of my art is its honesty. After I shared some of my first paintings from the Diversity of Nature series with friends and family, I was surprised when they responded by sending back photos of their own bodies for me to paint. Now, I have had women from all around the world: friends, family members, casual acquaintances, and total strangers contribute as models for my work. I ask each model beforehand what imagery they would like to see reimagined in their painting and why. This helps me to portray the elements in a more meaningful way. Most of my work is mixed media – acrylic, watercolor, ink, pastels and collage – giving it sculptural depth. In person, one can see the detail and complexity in-between each layer. I can’t thank my models enough; together we are helping others to reclaim their individuality, and see their elemental power. Painting vulvae, focusing on details of women’s bodies, even the parts that are ‘supposed’ to be hidden, does feel like a small act of resistance.

The best decision I made as a creator was to find my own voice artistically and tell my own story. While studying art in college, I felt pressured to paint like my professors, and the other students in my program. I became very bored in the art process, and felt very creatively blocked. There was a huge shift in my art when I stopped painting how I thought I should, how others have, or based on the opinions of others. I found a mentor who trusted me to apply my own ideas, make mistakes, and experiment. Her guidance allowed me to trust myself to take more risks that forced me into creative problem solving. Learning to be a creator with honesty about my own identity has been empowering and enabled me to form new connections. I believe art allows us to respond to diverse perspectives, which can help us to better understand, empathize, and learn from others.

The most difficult decision I’ve ever had to make was when I decided to make my Diversity of Nature series public in 2015. I was letting the whole world know that I was struggling with Body Dysmorphia, but also painting women’s bodies – both topics that are sensitive and a source of conflict. I was so worried about the repercussions that could follow. Would this information be weaponized against me? Will I offend family, or friends? Ultimately, I decided that it was not my responsibility as an artist to create art that others will think is “beautiful”, or “appropriate”. I wanted to create art that breaks society’s definition of “normal,” and possibly open new pathways for conversation. Overall, the response to my art has been overwhelmingly positive. But unfortunately, women’s bodies are still controlled by laws, religious texts, and social norms attempting to regulate their bodies and behavior. It is the negative comments that motivate me even more to continue working on this series. In every negative response I see an attempt to silence women, to invalidate how they look, what they say, and how they exist in the world. This series is about overcoming the shame that many are taught to feel against their own bodies based on others’ definitions of beauty. There is nothing wrong with celebrating feminine beauty; however, it is problematic when beauty is the only feminine value worth celebrating. When I look at my series, I see beauty in every painting, but I also see power. I see a history of suffering and the ability to overcome that pain. I see hope for equality.

One of the most challenging paintings and newest to this ongoing series, titled “Pollination”, is of a baby crowning during childbirth. The model gave me freedom to choose the theme. I included flora and fauna to symbolize growth, abundance and the elemental power of her body. Because, earth is the primary womb and the connection between women and the earth is deeply embedded – it’s apparent to me that when women thrive, the whole world thrives. Choosing to create life is powerful. When a woman makes that choice, it is worth celebrating. When that choice is taken away, the powerful act becomes a tool of oppression.

I hope my art and statement can influence cultural attitudes to transform the way they see the female body – mostly the taboos surrounding genitalia. Some opponents of my work say it’s pornographic or sexual, but my art shows the diversity of the female form, which pushes back against the photoshopped ideal of beauty. Others comment that the images look like “infected vaginas” – these individuals are perpetuating the negative stigma. It’s possible that these commenters have never seen a vulva! I thought it was obvious that my paintings were artistic representations, and educating others of the many shapes and unique forms that bodies come. It was instinctive for me to reimagine vulvae with imagery of the natural world.

Artist’s Statement:
Best. Worst. Perfect. Gross. These are words that are too often used to describe female bodies. Women and girls face daily criticisms, not over the quality of their accomplishments or the content of their hearts, but of the bodies they were born in. Judgment comes in many forms and from many directions, but worst of all, women criticize themselves and their own bodies. This series creates a space free from comparisons, where each body is honored in all of its individuality. Choosing to portray vulvae as parts of nature is not about trying to make them “prettier” but about showing vulvae as they are: integral elements of the natural world we are a part of. The beauty, the strength, the very survival of nature depends on diversity. So too with humans.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is just too much!

Some Must See and Do’s:
– The Sundance Mountain Resort has 2 great restaurants, a fun bar, and hiking trails nearby like Stewart Falls and Mount Timpanogos.
– The Spiral Jetty — Robert Smithson’s famous earthwork sculpture and visit
Antelope Island.
– Drive the Alpine Loop or Big Cottonwood Canyon.
– Walk Park City Main Street to browse art galleries and eat great food along the way.
– Relax at Crystal Hot Springs, or hike to Diamond Fork Hot Springs

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Forever thankful to the individuals who contributed as models to this series — their vulnerability is educating others.

Shoutout to my fellow creators and confidants : Jillian Secor of MerryGold, Haeree Kim of Heady Chili Crunch, Mary Rosenberry Ph.D student and word witch, my mentor Susan Parkinson and Jen Perkins who is an amazing artist and the one who introduced me to Shoutout.

To my family: Mom, Jason, Jessica, Juliet, Jillian, and Grandma — thank you for your endless love & support.

Website: https://jacquelinesecorart.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacquelinesecorart/

Other: Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JacquelineSecorArt
Pufferfish: https://www.pbs.org/video/pufferfish-f7eual/
Bowerbird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOfukj1aM1E&t=1s
Venus of Willendorf: https://www.pbs.org/howartmadetheworld/episodes/human/venus/
Stonehenge: https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/stonehenge