Jonathan Paul Jackson (b. 1984) Born in 1984, Jonathan Paul Jackson grew up in remote far West Texas before moving to Houston, where he continues to reside. From a young age, Jackson developed a deep love and passion for nature which continues to impact his art making practice. While Jackson has some formal art education and served as a studio assistant to several prominent Houston based artists in his formative years, he is largely self-taught, holding a high regard for experimentation. Jackson continues his work with nature-inspired imagery on non-traditional surfaces, drawing inspiration from the renowned Houston artist Jesse Lott (1943-2023), who utilized found materials for the basis of his artistic practice. Jackson has been and continues to be deeply inspired by nature; his scope is broad—from flowers seen on walks in his east side, Houston neighborhood to the geological forces that shaped our planet billions of years ago.Recently, Jackson has been developing a method of recycling paper, making paper so thick (up to one half inch) it becomes suggestive of walls, frescoes, or archeological remains. This paper varies in color, texture, and thickness, as bits of colored paper remain fully visible in the final painting. Through the process of recycling, Jackson takes his place amongst environmentally conscious artists, mindful of how their studio practices impact the environment. His arcadian imagery flutters somewhere between optimism and sorrow; optimism that even during times of great distress that nature can be a source of renewal, and sorrow for the animals negatively impacted by modern human’s ideas of progress. Artist StatementMy name is Jonathan Paul Jackson, an African American Visual Artist hailing from Houston, Texas. I work across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and illustration.In my artistic practice, I have delved into a series of color studies, which I refer to as 'Color Meditations.' During this exploration, I researched the works of color masters such as Matisse, Warhol, and Gauguin. However, I soon realized that it was not just the colors they used, but rather how they applied the paint and color to the surface that truly defined them as 'Masters of Color.'Another significant aspect of my work is the exploration of historical symbolism of Indigenous people. I interpret the imagery I find into my own modern style, creating a personal totem by 'writing' with their language. Similarly, I apply the same method to my landscape paintings, using nature as a source of inspiration to interpret it into my own visual language.Currently, I am working on a conceptual series that involves capturing photos of nature, printing them out, and then hand embellishing the prints. This series explores the idea that we all perceive nature in different ways, despite looking at the same subject.Through my art, I aim to not only explore the technical aspects of color and form but also to delve into the rich history and symbolism of different cultures. I strive to create work that sparks a dialogue and invites viewers to see the world through a different lens. Selected Solo Exhibitions 2024 An African American Expression, Sanman, Houston, Texas Reclaiming Paradise, Foltz Fine Art, Houston, Texas2023 These Days, Artist Studio Show, Houston, Texas2022 Fresh Air, CityCentre Houston, Texas, curated by Weingarten Art Group2021 Reminder to Breathe, Presa House Gallery, San Antonio, Texas2020 African Contemporary, Vol. 2, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth, Texas 2019 African Contemporary, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth, Texas 2018 Volume 2, Cafe Brasil, Houston, Texas Just Another Day, The Tipping point, Houston, Texas Color Ways, Mid Main Art Projects, Houston, Texas A Natural Curiosity, Flight Gallery, San Antonio, Texas2017 Gimme Shelter, Private Eye Gallery, Houston, Texas 2016 Untitled Exhibition #003, Tomo Mags, Houston, Texas 2014 A Theory of Color, Mid Main Art Projects Mid Main Windows, Houston, Texas 2013 When the Going was Good, Little Pink Monster, Austin, Texas 2005 A Touch of Felt, Cafe Brazil, Houston, Texas Selected Group Exhibitions 2024 Layer Cake, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas 2023 Summer's End, Foltz Fine Art, Houston, Texas Add on Art Gala, Featured Artist, Houston Art Alliance, Houston, Texas Crossroads, East Austin Studio Tour, Big Medium, Austin, Texas2022 Entry Points, The Orange Show, Houston, Texas For Ellen, Hardy and Nance Studios, Houston, Texas, curated by Matt Messinger2021 Sea of Green, two-man show with DUAL, Foltz Fine Art, Houston, Texas2019 NEXT: Three Generations of Houston Abstract Expressionists—Featuring Richard Stout, Ibsen Espada & Jonathan Paul Jackson, Foltz Fine Art, Houston, Texas 2018 Shinrin Yoku, East Austin Studio Tours, Austin, Texas Long Live Bolm, East Austin Studio Tours, Austin, Texas Thanussiness, Flight Gallery, San Antonio, Texas Texas Aviary”, Reaves | Foltz Fine Art, Houston, Texas 2017 Holiday Show, Reaves | Foltz Fine Art, Houston, Texas Wild Abandon E.A.S.T., Print Press, Austin, Texas Group Show, Lullwood Group, San Antonio Texas Tell me I Can't, SXSW event, Topology Gallery, Austin, Texas Galveston Art Walk, Senpai Gallery, Galveston, Texas The Blanket Show, Senpai Gallery, Galveston, Texas El Ricon Social Show, MKT Bar, Houston, Texas2016 Contact: Two-Man Show with Andrew Schmidt, Topology Gallery, Austin, Texas Trust Me Daddy, Safe House Gallery, Houston, Texas East Austin Studio Tour, Topology Gallery, Austin, Texas By the Pound, Museum of Human Achievement, Austin, Texas Art Bash, Austin Art Alliance, The Pershing, Austin, Texas Group Show, Flight Gallery, San Antonio, Texas Locus, Alt Gallery, Austin, Texas Artifacts and Photos, Flight Gallery, San Antonio, Texas SXSW art installation, American Greeting Card Company, Austin, Texas Meditations: Art of the African Diasporas, Texas Southern University Art Museum, Houston, Texas. Curated by Dr. Alvia Wardlaw. Untitled Exhibition #003, Tomo Mags, Houston, Texas2015 Collective Solid, Deborah Colton Gallery, Houston, Texas Artifacts, El Rincon Social, Houston, Texas2014 Group Show, Alonzo Gallery, Houston, Texas The Group Show, Little Pink Monster, Austin, Texas2007 Black\Gold: Two-Man Show with Adrian Landon Brooks, Sucker Punch Art Gallery, Houston, Texas2005 The Great Adventures, The Private Residence of Daniel Kane, Houston, Texas Public CollectionsBlue Dorn, Houston, TexasBlue Navy, Houston, TexasIndependent Financial Bank, Dallas, TexasION District, Houston, TexasIsland Grill, Houston, TexasPark House, Houston, TexasPublic Art Collection of University of Houston – Victoria, Texas Professional Affiliations & Community Involvement2018 – Present Independent curator 2019 – Present Public Art / Exhibition Advisor and Advisory Board, The Jung Center, Houston, TX2020 – Present Conservation Corp and Artist Advisory Board, The Orange Show, Houston, TX2020 – Present Co-curator, Texas Emerging, Volume. 1-5 exhibitions, Foltz Fine Art, Houston, TX2017-2022 Site operations, Firefly Music Festival, Dover, Delaware2015-2018 Site operations, Day for Night Music and Art Festival, Houston, TX