Artist Profile: Josie Dechant
Josie Dechant is a self-taught artist who learned to embrace the beguiling mess of life and hold these illuminating qualities close to her heart. The language of art continues to be a profound aspect within her journey, starting when she was a child who struggled with dyslexia. Learning to dissect her environments through visual examination allowed her to learn through a unique viewpoint and has become a healing tool within her adulthood. Thus, exploring the beautiful complexity woven into individual souls is a contributing factor within the layers of her illustrations and photography.
Would you be willing to share a bit about your artistic process?
Recognizing I am a neurodivergent wanderer and I’ve always conquered life in an atypical fashion, I also corollate this to my artistic process. I am a self-taught artist so many times my artistic process is a fluid, visual language that isn’t hindered by structured rules — I never learned any structured regulations. Images prosper from my noggin much like the natural act of breathing or gently drifting off to sleep at night. It simply comes and I must put it down on a surface or I shall go mad.
As far as the steps to creating, I usually jam out to some music that rattles my bones. I contemplate the lyrics or musical melodies. Then my mind wanders and I follow, either through the act of capturing images or illustrating, often combining both methods while layering and tinkering. Sometimes I let the dust settle and come back to the image to fine-tune details or the overall aesthetic.
As far as knowing when an image is done, I suppose I compare this to the same instinct of knowing when one is angry or sad. It’s simply a feeling that I’ve learned to sit with. It’s a natural voice that whispers to my intuition — let it be.
After someone spends time with your artwork, what do you hope they walk away with?
Trauma and confusing medical circumstances have ravished my life and pushed me into a new chapter of identity. Although I am still quite young, I feel as though I have lived a lifetime due to my circumstances. This has given me a unique lens of maturity. Accepting that life is a messy, chaotic tapestry of imperfections and it is a beautifully damned expedition is my overall hope that most people walk away with after viewing my artwork.
Who are 2 or 3 inspirations that have supported (or challenged) your artistic growth in the past several years?
Although I am a self-taught artist, while I am currently searching for answers as to why my kidneys are failing and my body is shutting down in peculiar ways, I have returned to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to work on my photography minor. Professor Levinson and the photography/art department have been exceptionally profound regarding my artistic growth. They have accepted my atypical spirit and circumstance by allowing me to tinker on concepts without any kind of art background (undergraduate degree was in the field of psychology). Yet, the five books I’ve personally created and countless images I’ve printed in Lab 28 have been the true medicine that has kept my soul going as all sense of normalcy diminishes around me. Thus, I will forever be thankful for this random opportunity that fell into my lap during a time when I needed it the most.
After the height of the pandemic, I decided to adopt a dachshund puppy (Fenwick) from Pennsylvania. I was longing for a new project after years of trauma and this seemed like the adventure I needed to start healing. However, the cute little ragamuffin was one of the most difficult and emotionally exhausting lessons I have acquired thus far in my life. Nothing worked correctly on him — his tail was in the shape of a wound-up corkscrew, he needed expensive surgery on his front leg at nine months, he essentially has scoliosis and is as stubborn as they come. Yet, through the ups and downs of loving this imperfect creature, I found that the joy of life lives in the tiny moments that weave the concept of time together. Fenwick never stops to dwell on his misfortunes; rather, he relishes in everything he does. He has such unconditional love — the odd tuft of hair on his head or the joy within stubbornly screaming at the neighbors. This used to embarrass me, but now I love that he is genuinely strange as I wave and smile whilst mentally remarking, yep he’s my weird little companion and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Lastly, my sister Maggie has significantly supported my artistic path. She is brutally honest with me when I need it and this is one of the greatest gifts an artist can receive. Honesty that is constructed from a place of truth and loyalty is the best feedback; constant praise and lackluster admiration truthfully never allow one to harness their real potential. Furthermore, the sarcastic humor she wafts my way is frequently the critical laughter needed to kickstart the day.
What are 2 to 3 exhibitions, concerts, books and/or book talks, spoken word events and/or films you’re hoping to check out this season in Wisconsin or virtually?
Brenda Baker & Bird Ross: Land of 1,000 Eddies at Art Lit Lab from January 9th to March 7th 2024. Work that dives into layers and questions always speaks to my soul. Bird Ross’s mending project is sublime and both individuals support of women visual artist is inspiring.
I love to throw on the supernatural/true crime podcast And That’s Why We Drink while I sketch or ponder ideas. The banter and chaos of the show is smashing while further reiterating the beauty within the mess of life. The podcast will be holding a live show in Milwaukee on April 4th at the Pabst Theater.
Recently, a friend gave me the book The Lady’s Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness. Diving into the dark humor of Sarah Ramey’s struggles within a misogynistic medical system in which women are still deemed hysteric when physicians are at a loss for answers has been a major comfort as I’m dealing with similar unknown medical circumstances. I’ve personally been creating nonsensical fake fliers under the name Morse Code of Eyerolls to deal with my personal frustration pertaining to this matter.