JAMIE CORETH

Perception and Realization

- Christine Egnoski

Egnoski: You received a degree in archeology and anthropology from Oxford University and then decided to pursue a career in painting. What led you to that decision?

Coreth: Drawing and painting was always something I enjoyed as a child. I graduated university quite young, finishing my final exams aged 20, so I thought I might take a year to explore my interest in painting before reverting back to archaeology to pursue a master’s degree. I had a particular interest in paleolithic cave art in Europe and San rock art in southern Africa. I went to study painting at The Florence Academy of Art, with short stints also at the Charles Cecil Studios and London Atelier of Representational Art. The introduction to traditional arts in Italy was enough to ignite a genuine love for drawing and painting. After three years of study, I felt clearly that I wanted to pursue a career in painting.

Egnoski: Your paintings are a beautiful blend of traditional portraiture mixed with a modern vision. Was that an intentional decision on your part, or did it evolve over time?