On Thursday, December 11, Robert C. Jackson will welcome museum guests to follow him through his artistic journey from a beginning in electrical engineering to his full-time commitment to contemporary still life painting. On the occasion of the publication of his book, Robert C. Jackson: It’s A Colorful Life, we asked Jackson to share excerpts and anecdotes from his creative adventure.
From the chapter “Expensive Wallpaper”
“During this period, when I was painting traditional works along with the occasional quirky one, a collector approached me said that I had changed the way he collected art. His flattering statement took me by surprise, and I asked him to explain. He said he had built up a beautiful art collection that he was proud of and had spent a lot of money on, and he had no regrets about his purchases. However, when he had visitors, unless they were art educated, they paid little attention to his collection. His beloved artwork seemed nothing more than ‘expensive wallpaper.’ They were his words, not mine, but they stuck with me. He went on to say that he had bought one of my more narrative and humorous pieces, and whether he wanted it to or not, my painting became a discussion piece anytime he had guests in his house. ‘I’m sorry,’ I joked uncomfortably. ‘Don’t be sorry,’ he replied. ‘That’s what art is supposed to do: create a dialog.’”
From the chapter “Carpe Diem”
“Of all the pivotal moments I’ve had throughout my career, the most poignant came from an unlikely source: the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society. In the 30-plus years since I saw the film, I’ve been afraid to rewatch it for fear it’s different than I remember or that I’d recognize how naïve I’d been to let it affect me as much as it did (I’ve had other instances like that!). Even so, I’m forever grateful to that movie because it motivated me at 24 to leave a profession that wasn’t right for me and set out to pursue life on my own terms.”
From the chapter “Daydream Believer”
“A wandering mind and originality are essential to my work, but I also ask my spectators to follow my lead. Yes, I am talking to you! I want my viewers to be “daydream believers” and part of the process. Paintings are contained spaces begging the viewer to dream with the artist. When people ask me what my paintings are about, my response is: ‘How about you tell me first?’”
From the chapter “Offbeat”
“Artists are plentiful, and I never wanted to get lost in the crowd. I used to be very self-conscious that I learned art outside of a university system and held no art degree. I worried too much that this would be a detriment to my success as an artist. But in time I came to realize it was a blessing. I came to art through a different route, and tend to see things differently for it.”
From the chapter “Seriously Funny”
“After a recent gallery opening of mine, the bartender gave me the most wonderful compliment. He said he has been tending various gallery openings for over 20 years but had not encountered a more engaged crowd. He said often people come up and ask for their drink, talk about the weather, the news, etc., but that this crowd was loud, smiling, talking, and laughing about the art and telling him to make sure he saw the show himself. This affirmed for me that humor connects with people in a profound way.”
For Jackson, this new book “is every bit a piece of art as is one of my paintings.” The artist and author credits Schiffer Publishing for understanding his vision and empowering him “to give people an enjoyable and insightful encounter with art.” Join us during this special evening as we celebrate Robert C. Jackson’s colorful life.
