Originally from the Seattle area, Jeff Mash is an actor currently living in London with his wife, actress Claire Kaplan. Jeff and Claire began their acting careers in the vibrant Improv scene on Chicago's North Side after they met at the University of Chicago.
When did you start creating art?
When I was too young to remember! But my first memory of art is my dad bringing stacks of recycled paper home from work home so that I could draw on the blank backside of the paper. I drew on this paper for years! And I saved lots of it! I also remember my dad showing me how to draw a 3D leash around a bird's neck. My parents called the picture "Bird on a Leash" and they still have it hanging up in their house. I'm an actor now. I acted in my first play in 4th grade. The play was written by my friend Zip. I played a crazy doctor.
Why do you make art?
I feel alive when I make art. Art helps me be myself.
What role does art play in your job?
I do not do art in my job. But I do art every day after my job. The money I make at my job helps me pay for art classes. I take acting classes and dance classes.
Were you nervous to show your art to others? How did you overcome that?
Sometimes I'm very nervous. I get most nervous when my parents are watching because I want them to be proud of me, even though I'm 40 years old! When I get nervous, I remind myself how much I love to act. Sometimes I dance around before I perform. Dancing helps me feel relaxed and dancing reminds me to have fun!
Where do you get your ideas and inspiration?
Certain movies inspire me. There are some movies that I can't stop thinking about. Those movies make me think about my life and my needs and they inspire me to find new characters inside myself.
Who is your favorite artist?
The actor, Al Pacino.
Why do you think art is important?
There are all kinds of art. Painting, drawing, writing, story-telling, acting, dancing, singing, playing instruments, taking pictures, making movies, cooking, building, sewing, makeup, hairstyling, etc. etc. Art is anything that lets you express a truth about yourself that you feel you really need to express. It is important for you to express what you need to express. Every person is different. Every person has something different to express. And every person has a different way of expressing their truth. If we couldn't express ourselves, we might explode or become cold as ice. If you feel like this, please go see the art of other people and let their art inspire you to create your own art.
Is there some advice you have for young, aspiring artists?
Take paper and a pencil or pen with you everywhere you go. I have a small notepad and mechanical pencil that fit in my pocket. I never leave home without them. If you have a good idea, write it down. If you see something you want to draw, draw it. If you had a dream you want to remember, write it down. If you have a song you want to create, start writing it down. If you want to act like a character, draw a picture of the character and write down everything you can think of about your character and write down why you are similar to this character. And if you just want to scribble, then scribble scribble scribble.
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