Jean Cherouny is an American abstract expressionist artist, best known for her distinctive
“Rollerblade Paintings” and public performances that burst with athletic energy, yet
possess an ethereal, meditative quality. Cherouny’s “action paintings” feature an eye-catching interplay of vibrant colors, repetitive patterns, and intricate textures. Each rolling wheel on the canvas represents movement and flow and embodies a striking synthesis of personal creativity and athleticism. As Jean glides her rollerblades across the canvas, her thoughts turn to the boundless freedom of nature. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of the natural world, she infuses her work with a sense of awe and wonder that captivates and transforms.

In this week’s virtual studio visit, we are visiting the artist Jean Cherouny at her studio in Aruba. She is best known for her “rollerblade paintings” that burst with athletic energy, yet possess an ethereal, meditative quality. Jean shares how inspired by our article she renewed her studio space which led her to be more constructive she has more room for her action paintings now. She shares how she starts her day and how the past year has been for her artistic practice.

1. How are you setting up your studio for the New Year?

As a rollerblade painter, I was inspired by an article in Arts to Hearts (ATH) about ways that artists can uplift their studio space. I got committed to this idea of renewal. It took me a few weeks away from my painting, but redesigning my studio produced great results. I have room to create on my rollerblades using the extra floor space for a 4’x5’ painting and a large table for smaller pieces that will be shown at the Art Expo in NYC, in April 2024. I have room to move and hang art on the walls which can be put in different configurations with large and small works. I love the idea of waking up to get into the studio each day!

2. What is one ritual or thing that you do at the beginning of the New Year in your studio?

My new female soul playlist features Anaïs Mitchell and Tracy Chapman. I love their powerful, humanistic messages like weakness and strength. There is power in each of us and that’s what I am thinking about for the New Year. These thoughts transpire the explosiveness of my wheels and paint strokes with my tools.

3. Looking at last year, what work are you most proud of?

My love of the art community grew in Aruba participating and working in two Aruba Art Fairs. It is always great when paintings sell. Two large rollerblade paintings were sold: one in Saatchi and the other here in Aruba. The painting “Afloat”, 62”x45”, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, on Saatchi went to London. Now, I am refining my collections for 2024 and doing more art fairs through to September 2024. I also love selling my small 8″x 8” abstract wheel paintings locally in Aruba. One resident came in asking for abstract art and bought a collection of my works.

4. What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?

I wake up early to read and write after a walk or rollerblading. I like to study the works hanging in the studio then throw down the canvas and start my process. My goal is to stay loose in my painting. I move back and forth between the large painting on the floor which is a piece of canvas. I get lost in time. By the afternoon the layers have dried. It gets hot here so I hold off and stay in the air conditioning doing work on my website or meeting with artists on Zoom or in person. Before bed, I like to reflect in my journal and do a few sketches with my markers. To paint is to stay sane according to Louise Bourgeois. I think of her as I work and the many artists that came before me. While I paint in layers, I am not afraid because each layer speaks some truth to me. This truth is that the colors connect me to my inner peace and struggle. Ultimately, I want to find a stopping place that balances that truth with what I think is new and powerful. During my morning observations of nature and light here in Aruba many of the colors come into my focus especially the green and blue because of the ocean that surrounds me. As an abstract painter, I look to the old masters and modern painters who inspire my work. I keep saying to myself, “The joy of my painting comes from not knowing what will come next, letting go of my inner emotions to experience the paint.”

“I think of myself as a giant spider or a spider on wheels, spinning those wheels and spreading paint on canvas. The speed of the wheels allows me to paint in this expressionist style, applying paint quickly while absorbing the nature around me.”

Jean Cherouny

5. Could you share the studio spaces you work from? Is it your kitchen table or a fancy studio? How has your creative process evolved?

I would love a big space with other artists who I have found in Aruba but I am managing both with balance and growth right now. I am working in cultural centers collaboratively but in my studio alone. Being alone gives me peace and focus. I think when I work with other artists I am a stronger person in my studio and it is my style to combine social and private time. This freedom I experience in my painting has evolved into a collaboration called blades and brushes. I work with a portrait artist here on the island where we paint combinations of our styles. We have painted masters like Frida Kahlo and Vincent Van Gogh. They are very popular with my explosive backgrounds and my friend Peter’s images layered on top.

6. How are you setting up the tone for your studio practice this new year?

I had the walls freshly painted white and the furniture too. ATH suggested having a plant in the studio corner so I adopted that. My studio space is versatile so that it can be used for my various techniques and workshops. My studio walls hold my paintings clearly for me to see so I can grab what I need to work on multiple surfaces.

 7. A favorite book you like to read?

I read Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel. It was so inspiring to think of a group of artists working together and creating art that formed the pivotable abstract expressionist movement. There was so much sharing and creativity in those master abstract artists like Joan Mitchell and Helen Frankenthaler.

“As in a dance, the shapes are fashioned with my rolling wheels on the canvas. I feel a sense of the power to change something, even though it remains unclear what it is.”

Jean Cherouny

8. Can we sneak in your current artwork on your table?

The series that I am making is a large version of what perspective looks like to me so I am bringing back some techniques of the masters. The images are of boardwalk-like lines running off into the distance. This has evolved into smaller works and has been a real interest of mine lately. How it evolves is interesting to me because I can see this new structure in my work as a focal point like a spider’s web. On the rest of the surface, the wheel made the flowing and layered textures around it showing my use of color and energy. On some level, it is a portrait of myself, a reference to a spider spinning her web.

9. How do you take your studio practice beyond your studio?

Delving into writing and education are the main ways. Besides giving mural tours in San Nicolas, Aruba, which is the street art capital of the Caribbean, I love retreats, workshops, and demonstrations on the street. I look forward to educating people about my process to find their unique voice in abstract painting. For the new year, the lineup is looking good.

10. How would you describe the year 2023 for your studio practice.

I was carefree and messy but smart and focused. I tried to make art that could sell while I marketed my larger art on bigger platforms. I met so many people while leading mural tours. They all got to hear about my rollerblading art and why I chose San Nicolas as my new art community. Taking a risk to move to Aruba to travel the world is a way to be connected to something larger than me. I look, listen, and see the differences between myself in terms of culture and personality. This has landed me in a place of exploration and curiosity about the land and people that surround me.

11. How do you overcome a creative block and let the creative juices flow?

It is ok to get stuck, but sometimes I need to start over with one new idea. I feel all ideas ultimately lead to a main focus which is the flow of my process. Through a great deal of time writing and thinking about my process, I have made choices to target where my art needs to be shown and create a style that compliments that idea. Then, I just try to relax and revisit the work with my thoughts. I like to snorkel and play too. Play carries over into the process of my painting.

12. The first piece of art you made while working here in this studio.

In an interview with “Art Currently” on Instagram, I talked about bringing the comb into my tools to use as a paintbrush. The comb marks gave new textures mixed with the explosive mark of the rollerblade wheel. It’s fun to give a sneak preview. I want to have as many ideas flowing to get the paint moving because the comb is connected to my body ritual like rollerblading. I am using it for my hair so why not use wheels and combs together.

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