Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonah Jackson.
Jonah, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I learned how to about paint three years ago, when I was in my junior year of undergrad as a Business Major at the University of Texas at San Antonio (2014/2015 school year). In the spring of 2015, I decided to take a course called painting for non-art majors being that all fall semester of 2014 I had been drawing in a sketch book realizing that drawing was always relaxing and an escape from reality for me. I used to draw as a kid but never anything serious.
So, 2015, I’m taking this painting class for non-art majors, and I realized what I was truly passionate about. My professor noticed, I picked up on all the techniques quick. I ended up getting an A in the class but 3 Fs in my business school courses and I was also kicked out of the business school program. I was actually on the verge of dropping out since I totally bombed that semester and I was tired of wasting money/time. I expressed to my grandmother who was paying for my tuition at the time that I found something that I’m truly passionate about and its art and I want to make more of it. So, I was able to switch my major to art and I ended up bringing up my GPA up and squeezed every art course I could take in following semesters to graduate. Switching my major set, me back a year but I ended graduating in the Spring of 2017 with my Bachelors of Art. Now somehow, I ended up where I’m at now, living in Claremont, California as a student at Claremont Graduate University getting my Masters in Fine art. C/o of 2020.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a painter and drawer who is still in search of my style and I make art in an abstract, realistic and surrealistic way. Within my artistry my imagination is free to run wild and I am allowed to address endless subjects. As an individual who is very socially aware when it comes to societal constraints that create social injustices, art is a major platform for me to unapologetically voice my opinion, lead, and inspire others. I tackle subjects such as what’s going on in the world, my community, my ethnicity, religion, myself and my imagination. I want to place viewers in my shoes with my artwork because If humans could place themselves in ones shoes the world would take a step into becoming a better place.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
My advice for other artist is always stay true to yourself and always use your creativity to tell your story. Stop what you’re doing and do what you passionate about because you only have one life to live so why not be happy doing what you love.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can see my work on my website which is jonahjay.org and you could always come visit my studio at Claremont Graduate University. Also, social media platforms such as Instagram: @Jonah.jay. I currently have a painting being exhibited at the Claremont City Hall called “Show and Tell your Imagination”.
Contact Info:
- Website: jonahjay.org
- Phone: 832-689-2168
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonah.jay/
Image Credit:
Jonah Jackson
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