Jaki Doyka (b. 1989) is a multidisciplinary artist whose live drawing practice combines visual art, performance art, social practice, and social media. She works directly from observation, pushing the boundaries of time, speed, and endurance, all while opening herself up to flowstate. Works on paper are completed in one-shot, where witnesses can watch the artwork come to life before their eyes. As a mobile artist, Jaki activates both public and private spaces such as clubs, music venues, restaurants, coffee shops, beaches, hotels, schools, and museums.
Materials are portable and so is the energy. The work requires complete immersion and total presence, infused with a sense of play. It’s spontaneous, improvised, and in motion. Drawing As Jazz. Primarily using ink, watercolor, or pastel, works average around 20 minutes to complete. Part-painting, part-performance, and part-documentary, Jaki Doyka's work connects historical art traditions with current cultural modes of experience. As we collectively create the moment, she creates the record. All come together in the spirit of seeing and being seen. That shared experience is broadcasted online, expanding viewership while preserving the alchemy of hand craftsmanship in a digital age.
Jaki has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Boston University and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting from New York Academy of Art. Her background in classical training includes oil painting at The Copyist Program at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and figurative sculpture at The Florence Academy of Art. As an artist, musician, and collaborator, Jaki Doyka has performed at MoMA PS1, Essex Flowers, Soho House, and Iriving Plaza, as well as exhibited in New York at O’Flaherty’s Gallery and The Bruce High Quality Foundation. Among the notable figures she has drawn are The Rolling Stones, Cornell West, Roberta Smith, Jerry Saltz, Björk, Ke Huy Quan, Charli XCX, Ali Wong, Chris Rock, Bill Hader, Questlove, Juvenile, Mickalene Thomas, Isaac Julien, and Blondie. She currently lives, works, and teaches in New York City.
"I am interested in reality. The world is already inspiring as is, fascinating in its truth and mystery. Everything that's ever happened has led us to this moment. My goal is to capture what's in front of me, whether it be people, animals, landscape, architecture... how everything relates in spirit and space. I approach the scene with curiosity. I am the witness, the drawings are the interpretation. Proof of participation. I become one with the environment. I use the laws of composition to organize, line and color to express. My art practice is a game, I like to say. Anyone can play, but I'm having the most fun!" -Jaki Doyka
Jaki Doyka Live Drawing at Moroccan Lounge, Los Angeles 9.26.23. Photo by Kyle Goldberg.