Local artist Jay Gaskill teaches students abstract art

Portland artist Jay Gaskill’s work hangs on the walls of the WSU Vancouver Dengerink building. He recently conducted a workshop on the WSU Vancouver campus where he demonstrated how to paint with acrylics on transparent plastic (also known as YUPO). Gaskill’s work has appeared in exhibits throughout the nation in locations such as New York, Seattle and Baltimore.

YUPO picks up light through its stained-glass-like layers, which gives off different effects according to Elizabeth Sadewasser, co-chair of the WSU Vancouver art club, ArtX. The club coordinated Gaskill’s visit and the Oct. 26 workshop.

“The goal of this workshop is to teach people how to paint with acrylic on YUPO paper which we don’t cover in classes. So, it is a new style of painting” Sadewassser said.

Gaskill explained his creative process to students and members of the community in a talk previous to the workshop. He began using YUPO paper after a friend’s recommendation, which led to him finding a more tactile way of conveying his ideas.

“I don’t get a lot of opportunities to interact with students, but I think it’s important to try to do that [teach] from time to time. This was my first show at a university and I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to come here and interact with students and talk about my work” Gaskill said.

Along with Sadewassser, Riana Vincent co-chairs the new ArtX club. According to Vincent, the object of ArtX is to continuously offer events that allow students to meet local artists. According to Vincent, they do so to create an environment of growth for student artists. ArtX hopes to host more events and workshops to encourage artistic growth on campus. ArtX contacted Gaskill after his art was displayed in the Dengerink Building gallery.

“As an art student, it is hard to understand that you’re not the only one struggling through your work. And it’s really nice to see an artists’ creative process,” Vincent said.

Gaskill’s art remains displayed in the Dengerink building, showcasing his abstract style.