Oliver L. Jackson Jr.

Where do you live: St. Petersburg, Florida
Your education: Bachelor’s of Visual Communications
Describe your art in three words: Never the same
Your discipline: I explore mostly 2D media. Pencil, graphite, charcoal, watercolors, oils, acrylic, printmaking, photography, etc…
Website | Instagram

Can you share more about your journey as an artist and what inspired you to create the “Talk 2 Me” project?

My journey as an artist started as a child. During my younger years art was supported but not necessarily encouraged as anything but a side hobby. My families focus was a proper education. But I always kept a toe, so to speak, in the arts. I took art classes in high school but didn’t really enjoy it, photography was more to my liking. After high school while doing military service I started to study photography. That journey of photography lead me to graphic design. While studying graphic design the itch of the fine arts, particularly drawing and painting started to grow. While working in the art department of a major publishing company I started to pursue the fine arts studying at Herron School of Art. Studying color theory was when it all sorta clicked. I enjoyed bright colors. Bright colors to me are like a symphonic kaleidoscope. 

The Talk 2 Me project came from my living overseas. My group of friend are a very international, eclectic group. German, Italian, Libyan, Moroccan, Polish, etc. Just good people from all over. And in our text threads we were using emojis for quick responses and we all understood the conversations and even the little nuances or the sacrastic jokes. While we were having one of our text threads it just dawned on me how much like the Rossetta Stone this was. I really started to noticed all around me the symbols, iconography and pictures we use to communicate. Then looking back on history how much pictures and symbols were used. And now we have developed a simple but complex system of symbols that have involved into its own international language, our modern hieroglyphics . By using this system someone in London can communicate with someone in Tokyo and be understood.

How did your experiences with your mentors and training in Europe influence your artistic style and approach?

I was very fortunate to have some great mentors. Kevin J. Wilson encouraged me in really paying attention to the importance of drawing and how that is the fundamental foundation of a good piece. No matter how much paint one uses, it can never cover a bad or off drawing. Your mind will register as something is off. Kevin also introduced me to airbrushing. My use of airbrushing is for certain effects I may be trying for in a piece. I don’t really use it as the main technique, but I understand it and have a proficiency to use it for what I want. While in Europe I had the opportunity to study with German artist and designer Brigitte Guhle. While there were some language hurdles the language of art allowed us to still converse. Brigitte pushed me into more portrait type skills as well as exploring mediums I thought I had no interest in. Water Colors being the biggest. Working with watercolor is such a different mindset from other wet media. Traveling with Brigitte and studying in Venice, Cinque Terra, or even Provance was instrumental , not just from the guest instructors but being surrounded by the history and works of old and new masters. Traveling and studying from different perspectives has opened me up to possibilities and to look to the past to help solve a problem in technique or be inspired to create future works. It really changed and influenced my view of an artist and my approach to living an artistic life. Not to get caught up in what others opinion of an artist is. To move in my own space and time.

How do you decide which colors, shapes, and figures to use in your artwork?

I will be inspired by something. It could be another work of art, a dance piece, or a line of poetry. I will then marinate the idea and get a structure of what I want but marinating the idea can sometimes be like meditating where I listen for what the pieces wants to be. This also includes what medium I’ll create it in. So really it’s just going internal with the concept and being open to my intuition and listening to the voice of the piece. It always tells me what it wants to be. Sometimes the direction it goes may be, and has been different than my original thought. But the original concept or idea is still there.

How do you choose which emojis to incorporate into your art, and what significance do they hold for you?

I researched what seemed to be the most common used emojis in different countries and noticed the similarities. But I also used ones I liked and used often with the WTF one being one of my most used and favorites. As people get to know each other emojis can take on an alternative meaning. Most times we would use that particular one as cussing but it also shows frustration with a bit of disbelief. Sorta like when someone cuts you off in traffic you’re  like “WTF Dude!”

What has been the most memorable response or interaction you’ve had with someone who viewed your artwork?

Well there are 2. One was when I first debuted the Talk 2 Me series. A  lady came into my studio, not knowing I was the artist, and was very dismissing of the work. I asked her why and she said “Oh these are just emojis and nothing special.” I then asked her if she had read the Artist statement on the series which she said no but proceeded to read it. I then seen the click in her eyes and she looked closer at the pieces and started to discover the hidden elements in the works. She then stated she really liked the “Luv It” ones and wanted to buy one of the artist prints. She asked if I knew where the artist was, at which time I then introduced myself as the artist. The second lead to my meeting my fiancé and collaborating partner the poet Maureen McDole. She enjoyed a piece from my “Just Be” series which lead to our discussions on collaborations of art and poetry, sorta in an ekphrastic way and well one thing lead to another.

Are there any other artistic styles or mediums you are interested in exploring in the future?

Hmmm…, I’m always open and exploring. I’m sorta into incorporating collage and more texture into my paintings. I’m also exploring using and combining my photography background and printmaking. As well as exploring a more chaotic free flowing use of charcoal.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists who are trying to find their unique voice and style?

First I would say develop a proficiency in drawing and draftsmanship, and an understanding of color theory.

Second, go and look in museums, sides of buildings, magazines get to know what you like and start to incorporate those elements into your work.

And third which I feel is the most important. Don’t limit yourself. Explore and find out what works. I mean I push oils through an airbrush. Why not?