Artist Statement
Jay Wat (Justin O'Dell)
UV Paintings – Short Statement
I work with fluorescent paints, letting my emotions guide every brushstroke. The feeling I’m in at the moment shapes both the subject and the outcome of each piece.
Under UV light, my work reveals an alternate dimension — hidden layers, added depth, and a different side of the story.
Living with Bipolar 1 disorder often shapes my art’s direction. I embrace that influence, going with the flow and allowing each painting to emerge naturally. Every piece is the passing of an emotion onto canvas.
Full Visual Art Artist Statement
I first started experimenting with fluorescent ink gel pens in high school. Back then, art was a hobby — something I loved but didn’t yet realize would become a lifeline. I was drawn to the magic of blacklight art, the way it transforms a piece into something almost alive. As I got older, life’s demands pushed my hobby into the background.
Three years ago, my life fell apart. There are some unexpected treasures you can find at the bottom — though they’re not easy to reach. I had a severe manic episode that had been building for years, one that landed me in the hospital. That’s when I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 with psychosis. To cope with the massive mood swings, I picked up a paintbrush as a form of therapy. That’s when I fell in love with UV acrylics on canvas.
My process is therapeutic from the very first layer. It starts with gesso — the tack and texture setting the stage. I let my emotions lead the way, never beginning with a set plan. Colors go down first, sometimes with wall mud for texture. As the layers build, shapes and forms begin to emerge, and I follow where they lead. Often, I’ll turn my blacklight on and off throughout the process, checking that certain elements glow exactly the way I imagine. I step back frequently, searching for the “bigger picture” that’s slowly revealing itself. When the painting finally starts to speak to me, I know I’m close to the end — adding the final details, sealing it with a layer of gloss varnish. Each piece is a treasure hunt, and I try something new every time, never knowing which new technique will become my favorite.
I use UV light not just for visual effect, but to add dimension — a hidden layer that speaks to the duality of bipolar disorder. The glowing contrasts mirror the extremes of mood: the deep shadows of depression, the brilliant intensity of mania, and the strange moments when both collide.
Through my art, I hope to send a signal to others who suffer in silence: you are not alone. For those who do not live with bipolar disorder, I want my work to open a window into the experience — to show, even in some small way, what it can feel like to live within these shifting states of mind.