Background and Inspiration
Jackson is a 25 year old Brandon Fellows Artist, who is self-taught and focuses on poetry, sculpture, clay, nature and faith inspired art. He is originally from Griffin, Georgia, with time spent in Wilmington, North Carolina, and he now lives and works in Greenville.
How has your upbringing influence your art?
Jackson explained that he has always been creative since childhood. He said, "I was wild and able to roam in my backyard. Also having brothers and sisters really gave me the confidence to be open with my expressions." Jackson’s older sister had a strong influence on him because of how openly she expressed herself. She gave him a sense of understanding of what it meant to create without boundaries. They were creative together, whether that meant writing a song, making sculptures out of bamboo, or making a tire swing. Art was never structured for Jackson, it was something playful, not technical.
Jackson is also passionate about relying on those closest to you for artistic influence. He explained, "For me, I got the wrong impression of art when I went to people that I did not know. I went to people in books and role models that I chose that were not particularly near to me in any way. And I looked at them and said I want to be more like them. That was when I made the wrong decision. The people nearest to you are going to impress on you more. Especially on things like your artistic style and your sense of creativity."
How do you balance prioritizing your art with outside responsibilities?
Jackson says that you must work creativity into your daily life. If you see creativity as a lifestyle, you are going to create art naturally. You will be doing creating as a continual process of living. "Creativity is just living, making, studying, and praying. It is all one act. Creation at its finest is just walking alongside it and sitting with it and not forcing it."
What makes art feel like a privilege rather than a chore?
Jackson sees art as a privilege, but thinks that sometimes it should be seen as a chore because art can be mundane. "It's not always what I thought when I was younger or this transcendental experience all of the time when you're creating. Art can be sewing a tear in a jacket and that is okay. "
He also is against the idea of a "starving artist" or a "sacrificial artist." He explained that art is not something worth sacrificing your life. He asked "Why would you sacrifice your life for something that can't give that back to you?" There is an artist's myth that you have to die for your art and he is against that idea.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
He says that for him, it is part instinct and part aesthetic. Artists have an eye for it. He looks for symmetry, fullness, and if he has said everything that needs to be said.
How do you choose what medium/material is best for a certain piece?
Jackson said that choosing materials for certain pieces comes easily to him. He never wants to put too much importance on the material. Through developing his skills, he has become fond of certain materials like clay and mud which inspire him.
He also has been influenced by indigenous cultures and how the materials that they use are always native to where they are. Jackson also prioritizes natural and native materials available to him.
Is there a topic in the art world that you don't think is talked about enough?
Jackson said, "For our art community, faith. It's not talked about enough. It's not brought into the picture, it's sitting outside and we don't want to address it. Many people are sticking to what feels safe, normal, and comfortable. "
For Jackson, art isn’t something that should be separate from life, but a consistent practice woven into daily tasks.