We recently caught up with RAWard Art semi-finalist Jillian Frederick and asked her about her art, goals and what it means to take home the art semi-finalist spot at the Hollywood RAWards showcase. Find out what inspires Frederick and what projects she’s currently working on.


Congratulations on winning the semi-finalist Hollywood RAWards spot in the ART category! How does it feel to win and what does this mean for you?

Thank you! It feels so surreal. My art is what I spend most of my time doing, so being backed up by support and receiving an honor like this reassures me that I could only be happy doing what I love most. I felt a beautiful connection that night with the city I love so dearly.

Who would you like to thank? Who helped you with this milestone?

First, I would like to thank my mother and father. They have both worked so hard to make it possible for me to pursue my passion. They both inspire and motivate me to share my work. I’d also like to thank RAWartists for this incredible gift. It is hard to find reliable organizations that are truly about the arts, but they really are. Lastly, I wish I could hug each and every person who voted for me; It is really the most uplifting feeling to have both friends and complete strangers show interest in what I am doing.

How long have you been creating art?

I have been painting for about four years, but I feel like I truly found my “nitch” with Mixed Media within the last year or so. Once you find yourself within your work, it just keeps recreating itself from there.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by the harder times of my past and the ultimate decision of life vs. death I had to make that eventually lead to the happy and healthy life I lead now. I survived years of Eating Disorders, and there are personal symbols hidden throughout each piece that hint towards that. I examine both internal and external causes of such events like my own. My more recent work examines the body as a cage, and the soul of a woman being where her true beauty lies.

How would you describe your art to someone who has never seen it before?

Visually, I would say my work is made up of paper, paint, and any dusty treasures you might find in the attic of someone with a story to tell. I tend to work in earth tones with hints of vibrant colors. My sculptures are made of symbolic materials like mannequins, windows, bird cages, and other meaningful figures that work for the story I am telling.

Who are your influences and who do you admire?

My work was definitely influenced by modern artists like Joseph Cornell & Max Ernst. They helped me realize that no artist is limited to a certain media. I admire my mother, Vicki, who has won her battle with breast cancer and maintained her faith and composure throughout. I also admire my professor and friend of several years, Carol Bishop, who has seen my work progress and mentored me through finding myself through my work.

Do you have any artistic goals? If so, what are they?

I just want to make art my life. I am transferring to Otis College of Art & Design in the spring, and plan on obtaining my Masters Degree in Studio Art. I’ve always planned on volunteering my knowledge to the community through Art Therapy and would love to teach one day.

What lessons have you learned so far from the industry?

I’ve learned that not everyone will be spoken to by your work, but it should not stop you from showing your stuff to the people that are. I’ve also learned that the true test of your willpower comes down to your desire to keep producing; No one can motivate you as much as yourself.

If you could collaborate with anybody else, who would it be?

I would love to collaborate with Kiki Smith. My work tends to be classified as feminist in the sense that I acknowledge woman’s struggles both self-fabricated and environmentally engraved in each of us, and I think she would be the artist to work with to portray that subject.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

Nothing learned is ever wasted: each experience, every subject, all your memories, everything can somehow be useful for your work or helping understand the work of others. I would also let them know that both a healthy dose of encouragement and an even larger dose of criticism both go a long way.

Are you currently working on any projects?

Yes, my current series consists of using shadowboxes to display the lost selves of eating disorder victims through dark silhouettes and personal symbols.

Where can we see your work?

My work, contact information, & updates about upcoming shows can be found at: facebook.com/JillianFrederickArt.

Make sure to check out: http://www.rawartists.org/view-artists/userprofile/JillianFrederick

Formerly an editor at Demand Media, writer at Citysearch, The Examiner, LA Youth Newspaper and proofreader at The Los Angeles Daily News, Christy Buena decided to start Disarray Magazine because she missed writing what she wanted. From hiring writers, to contacting publicists and making assignments, Christy is responsible for the editorial strategy of Disarray Magazine.

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