Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacque Smith.
Hi Jacque, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Even though a spark of creative confidence was ignited when I sold a painting the first time I hung in an art show (I was a teenager), in college I chose a writing career rather than visual arts as my life’s path. However, years later I came to my senses and returned to my initial passion. Since then, I’ve exhibited in multiple art shows across Central Texas and sold many paintings.
My reconciliation in late 2017 was launched when subtle thoughts of painting began stealing back into my quiet, reflective moments. These relentless thoughts nagged me until I enrolled in a painting class at Dougherty Arts Center. That experience reminded me how much I love this form of self-expression and initiated the deep appreciation I hold today for how surprising, liberating, and authentic painting can be. Since then, with pallet knife in hand, I have intuitively generated a body of contemporary abstract art, allowing the subjects organically to reveal themselves.
I believe it was also my inner voice that pushed me toward becoming an eco-artist, pairing my passions for art making and care for the environment.
Following the long separation from art making, I recognize myself now not as an artist who has lain fallow for decades, but rather as one who has much to say without using a word.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I started painting again and for some time after, I couldn’t identify as an artist, much less an eco-artist. In those early days, I didn’t understand the power and responsibility inherent the word, artist. Even today it’s more comfortable to call myself a creative. Owning the label, artist, has been my most significant psychological challenge. When I had my first $1,200 sale, I suffered imposter syndrome so badly. It was like an out of body experience. I couldn’t focus on processing the sale with my Square Reader. I couldn’t speak. I lost all sense of direction. I thought I was having a stroke. I kept thinking, what gives me the audacity to accept so much money for painting a canvas.
The power component of being an artist relates to the empowerment that comes with positive public recognition. One must be emotionally ready to accept that attention after having spent so much time alone in the studio wondering if the work is any good. Accepting the value of a piece as other people see it has been huge for me.
The responsibility component of being an artist relates to taking the required action of smearing my heart and spirit on canvas and then posting it in the public eye for the judgment of some, who will never understand what I’m trying to say. That’s not a criticism of them. It’s simply a consequence of exhibiting. Yet, I believe it’s imperative that I continue to show my work. Creative expression is spiritual and as such can touch the viewer’s heart. Because of this, I – the artist – have the responsibility to share my art with the public . . . to blindly attempt perfecting the human-to-human connection.
Those are my internal challenges. My external obstacles are as powerful as my perception of them. I only need to see them as opportunities, and the whole energy around them changes. In that way, obstacles can be important and beneficial.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As all things evolve, I, too, have grown as an artist and as a responsible human citizen of this incredible planet we’ve been gifted. It not only offers every support system for maintaining life, but Earth also displays fascinating, intricate, abstract design for the creatively curious. Being the prolific provider, Nature requires my focus, respect, and passionate creative expression.
I’ve always recycled and conserved energy and water, but now I admit that those are grossly insufficient efforts when trying to protect the planet. AND I do not trust politicians to do the best thing for all concerned. I have accepted my responsibility to take more effective action. That’s why as an eco-artist, I use biodegradable materials and am compelled to offer a special earth-friendly pricing option to my clients – a 20% price reduction when the buyer donates the same 20%-dollar amount to an eco-nonprofit organization currently working for the preservation, protection, and sustainability of planet Earth. In the past year, my clients and I have partnered to donate well over a thousand dollars to eco-nonprofit organizations with boots on the ground working to protect planet Earth. I am proud of that.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Navigating my life to this point, I’ve reinvented myself many times. I’ve been a screenwriter, an instructional designer, teacher, student, writer/editor, bus driver, and an energy practitioner. Additionally, I’ve founded three non-profit organizations – none of which are viable today. And now, I’m a contemporary abstract eco-artist.
I believe it’s impossible to live life fully without taking risks. Without turning corners, how could anyone see the whole picture? How could anyone fully know him/herself? Some intentions fail and some succeed with great success that touch other people in enduring ways. I believe risk-taking is an essential part of a life well-lived and have always charged toward it with energetic anticipation.
Pricing:
- • 20% price reduction with donation
- • My base price is $1.75/inch.
- • I add a fee for linen.
- • I add 15% for commissions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jacsmithfineart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquesmith561
Image Credits
Karen Bernstein
