Artist of the Month April 2008

Jan Jackson

Albuquerque, NM

Jan was born in MI, and currently resides in Albuquerque, NM. In between earned degrees in Fine Art, Art History and Education from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Jan taught elementary school in a Chicago suburb for 20 years, retiring to return to her passion of making art. As a teacher, she had the expertise in the teaching writing and learned to listen for and develop authenticity of voice in writing. When Jan re-entered the art world, she sought first to practice her skills and next to find her own voice. Jan developed a style that she calls “Dreamscapes.” "I believe because the voice that I have found is authentic, the art work I produce engages and speaks to the viewer." - Jan Jackson

How and when did you start creating art?

My grandparents with whom I lived provided me with a playroom off the kitchen- I suppose to keep me from drawing on everything else in the house, They gave me wonderful supplies and allowed me to paint on walls, furniture, books and toys. They gave me art lessons at a nearby art museum and nurtured my passion in every way through books, music, rearranging furniture, cooking, and life.

What media and genres do you work in?

As when a child, I love to build. I built with stones, I constructed with cards and arranged with fabric or sticks. Thus my most resent interest in constructing with bone. I find I can make political and social commentary best with bone (chicken, lamb, deer, even a fossilized iguana). At the same time, I continue to work in pastel on black paper, either black pastel paper or stained black sand paper.

Who or what are your influences?

Because of my interest and study of art history, I am a sponge. I’ve traveled in North and South America and am inspired by folk art and use of color. And I can’t forget the Impressionists. Nor my own work in color and design. I am also a wide reader. The written word, puns, and sayings form images that I quickly jot down. These become paintings. All are a part of my personal experiences and from what I believe to be the collective experience. I also collect art books from all corners of the world and am a subscriber to Art Forum Magazine for 40 years! New York always called to me, but I didn’t answer. I see paintings as I walk through life. Many who view my work say it is Aborigine in nature. I think because I reach somemething dreamlike, yet meaningful to others

(Sea Dance) - Fish have always been part of my imagery. Historically, fish imagery is found in every major religion throughout the world. My first fish painting as a child was of a fish in my grandfather’s fish pond. They have been with me ever since. During a demonstration a viewer asked me why I put fish in everything I painted? Until then I did not realize how many pieces did have fish represented. Now I wait for them to emerge. This pastel painting on black paper is filled with design and color. I think of these fish, posed in mantra formation, as the four corner of the earth connecting on a spiritual level. It was the focal point of the grand opening of my new gallery, “Dreamscapes Gallery.”

Describe your creative process?

I begin work with a title in mind. For example, “Cow Licks” is an image that flashed through my mind when a friend talked about her cow lick problem. I was also taking a lot of photos of cows and other animals to use as reference. A cow licking the prickly part of a cactus imprinted an image on my mind. I sketched the main cow in a sketch book, decided the piece would be a full sheet, divided the space into three tiers to represent levels of reality, and began by placing the main cow in the middle tier. At this point, the painting seemed to paint itself, that is, I knew intuitively where to place the other elements, to “stitch the plants and animals to the paper” with short stitch-like marks, and to make the three parts work as a whole. I am unaware of time or sound as I work. I can liken feeling of the process as that experience of Alice in Wonderland when she enters through a small door into another time and space.

What are you working on currently?

I am completing the 8th oil painting of a 20 painting series. The series is called, “The Bad Dog Series”. The most recent is called, “Blue Dog’s Obsession”. A large blue dog sits and contemplates the land that she rules. Off in the distance she can see a lovely island with a maiden, cigar in hand, beckoning to her. Finally she leaves in search of a better cigar. This is the first piece on which I actually wrote the story in one of the three tiers. You can view it on my web site. I am also completing a series of painted skulls. I have obtained the animal skulls and bones from various friends. I engage in a ceremony before I begin to thank the animal for coming to me and making a promise to honor its life through the painting. Also on my web site.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

In December of 07 I bought a building in downtown Albuquerque. It is now remodeled and open as studios and gallery. I have four studio spaces that I rent plus my own studio. I show my own work and that of selected artists. In this way, I can keep my prices affordable. I take place in local events and change shows monthly. I have fulfilled my dream but my passion for making art grows stronger.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

My work can be purchased through my website: http://www.dreamscapeson5th.com or directly from Dreamscapes Gallery, 1523 5th St. NW, ABQ, NM 87102 Or call Jan Jackson at (505) 688-3190