Meet Jerry Jacobson: Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jerry Jacobson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jerry, what inspires you?
I am inspired by the act of creativity itself, just making something by hand everyday. It might be working on an ongoing project. It might be starting a drawing or painting with little or no pre-conception, purpose or intent. Chuck Close has been quoted as saying that “inspiration is for amateurs” and I agree completely. My experience is that artists that wait for inspiration are unlikely to accomplish much. Work makes work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I try to find new ways (at least to me) of making pictures. My Rust Farm project involved collecting metal objects in glass jars, allowing the contents to corrode over time and creating drawings from the rusted materials. The Sweepwalking series were works on paper produced from fallen city street sweeper bristles collected on neighborhood walks. Most recently I have been making ink drawings from soiled face masks.    

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Most of my friends are artist so I would recommend visiting SMOCA, Mesa Arts Center, Tempe Center of the Arts, Phoenix Art Museum, MIM and Lisa Sette Gallery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Thank you to all that have been supportive of my work over the years with a special shout out to the staff at Mesa Contemporary Arts and the Tempe Center for the Arts.

Website: www.intrepidart.net
Instagram: intrepidrust

Image Credits
All images courtesy the artist, Jerry Jacobson