O-A: What is art to you? Is creating an urge, necessity or maybe an incontournable, essential way of life?
Jana Štok: For me the art is a constant research, exploration of new things and new ways. I usually ask myself: »How about I try it this way?« And usually the final result is completely different. It happens very rarely that I imagine the final result at the beginning. I need to explore the ideas throughout the process, otherwise I get bored. I like to create like children, relaxed. I really like the quote, Pablo Picasso once said: »Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up«.
O-A: What wouldn’t you do without art? What did you discover, achieve with it?
Jana Štok: I gained the feeling that I am finally doing something for my soul, feeling that this is me, real me.
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O-A: If a person, artist or not, influenced you, what kind of question would you ask him/her?
Jana Štok: Life thought me to trust my own intuition. If the energies are good the exchange of words runs naturally and without any unnecessary questions.
O-A: Who or what inspired you artistically; a person, artist, event, experience…
Jana Štok: This are a few artists I get inspired by: Slovenian painter Janko Orač, Serbian painter Miroslava Raković, American painter Cy Twombly, Armenian painter Arturs Akopjans. I like them because of their relaxed way of painting.
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O-A: What was the most interesting statement you heard about your work?
Jana Štok: At one of my exhibitions someone wrote in a book of impressions : »Very erotic !«
O-A: How do you search for inspiration and themes for your work?
Jana Štok: I simply just sit down, grab my tools and I start creating. The more I create the more I get inspired.
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O-A: How has your art changed over time? Why?
Jana Štok: I started with realistic art. But I have soon found out that this isn’t my style. I would get bored by crating it. I feel more attracted by creating something abstract. I am an eternal explorer.
O-A: What names do you give your artworks?
Jana Štok: Sometimes when it’s necessary I give to my abstract creations the title, for example if I paint an abstract landscape. Like this you give to a viewer a little direction. Otherwise I think the naming of the abstract paintings isn’t really necessary as it leaves a viewer to his own interpretations
