Robert Jackson

Artist Statement

The only way to reach me a couple of years ago was through art. I was like a zombie, almost totally consumed with fear and depression, but I could appreciate art. I would go to the library and just sit with the art books. My psychiatrist said "paint me a picture, I'll pay for it" Am I blue? was one of the first images I produced.

I paint using mostly digital tools. Using a stylus and a pad with a thousand levels of sensitivity I can mimic acrylic, smeary thick oils, gritty chalks etc. on the computer canvas. For the six faces in Am I blue? I had maybe 30 renditions of this face, and I narrowed it down to these six. So here is a piece about not identifying with my passing mind states. I am not my mind.

Am I blue? is printed on canvas using pigmented inks as an underpainting, then gone over again with traditional acrylics.

This is fun, it’s saving my life, and it’s one of my reasons for being on the planet.

Catalogue Description

Robert Jackson is the current president of Minds Eye, an artists for mental health group. Robert paints mostly with digital tools. I get smeary paints using a computer stylus and pad, with the screen for a canvas, Robert says. Original canvas prints are accomplished using a 2 foot wide printer. Robert loves to push the limits of experimental art and uses Plexiglas, copper and LED lights in his work. See www.myartclub.com/minds.eye to see the groups work.