Ronald Jackson: Bringing the Past to Present
Having grown up in the rural South, artist Ronald Jackson draws upon his family’s experiences and stories when creating his contemporary portraits. While Ronald’s work is deeply rooted in his rural Arkansas upbringing, he also found a great deal of inspiration from his extensive travels while serving in the U.S army. Ultimately, Ronald’s work is an exploration of past experiences, and how those moments in time manifest in the present moment.
Tell me about your background and where your creative journey began.
I grew up in the rural South of the Arkansas Delta, the youngest of eleven kids born to a farmer and a community organizer. My Mother and Father (both deceased) left a legacy of challenging and reshaping the norms of the racial status quo in and around our home county and surrounding communities.
I came from a lineage of black landowners, farming in the South. In the mid-sixties, my parents led communities in the organization of multiple boycotts against the establishment of racial injustices. Despite suffering continual threats, harassments, and organized retaliations, efforts eventually led to a US Court of Appeal’s decision, ruling in the favor of forcing the area school districts into full desegregation.
I studied Architecture at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA before joining the US Army. I served 21 plus years in the Army and retired in 2014. Midway my military career, I decided to pursue becoming a professional artist. Realizing that attending art school while serving in the military would not be possible, I chose to engage myself on a journey of self-disciplines and personal discovery to realize this goal. I accepted the fact that my journey to become a professional artist would have to be achieved by being self-taught.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I've always had a natural inclination towards figurative works... whether portraits or narrative imagery. Creating works during the developmental periods of my journey began a source of self-discovery. As I would often sit and reflect on the work that I created, I began to notice some common themes that were subconsciously recurring in my work. I would always create imagery that reflected some period of the past; with an environment consistently void of any reference to an urban experience. Over time, I realized how deeply the experiences, stories, and the people of my rural Arkansas upbringing were central to who I had become as a person. I've been privileged to live and travel in and around many countries and have considered it an honor when I am invited to experience a different culture or way of life. Essentially, my interest encompasses the communities of diverse peoples and cultures... understanding that historical experiences have transgenerational impacts... understanding that people's pursuit to survive and prosper, amidst challenges and obstacles will indelibly shape a people's resolve. My work pulls from the life and experiences of those who shared the challenges and obstacles that many early African Americans faced. The pursuit to survive, prosper, and simply live life.
How has your work shifted and evolved over time?
Earlier I created work from a place of feeling and intuition which led me to discover untapped realities about myself. What were the things that were truly important to me... What were the values systems that were ingrained in me... What conversations did I want to engage in... Overtime, after reflecting and answering these questions, I began to understand more clearly who I was, and how I could contribute to a legacy of storytellers.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
A day in the studio would usually start around 12 or 1pm, though I often try to start earlier. There are usually things that I have to take care of before going to work, because I seek to find a continuous workflow that will take me into the evening. It really depends on what I am working on and what stage I'm in. Generally, I work in three stages. I sketch and brainstorm ideas and concepts, which I call my "creative stage". This also includes any experimental efforts. Second is a planning stage where I spend time resourcing references which sometimes involves a digital mock-up in order to explore compositional possibilities. Thirdly, is my "production stage" when I have enough direction to get started. This stage accounts for most of my studio time. It's a time filled with music, podcasts, informative videos while I work, and sometimes audiobooks. I usually work until about 10pm but when I get into a productive zone, I can often work into the early hours of the mornings.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
Probably learning many of the details of my family's history during my father's funeral back in 2001. A roster of Arkansas educators and attorneys shared stories of civil rights efforts led by my parents. I was aware of bits and pieces of stories that I had overheard growing up but I had never heard my father mention any of the details. Hearing the first hand accounts of how my parents sought to get needed repairs to the community's segregated "Black school" in the mid sixties. How my father decided to lead a boycott of the school system when requests to address severe problems were continually being ignored by the white ran school system. How the boycott galvanized the Black communities to demand for other equalities. How my parents became subjects of threats, harassment, vandalism, property destruction, arson, gun violence, cross burning and other forms of American terrorism against Black peoples seeking fair treatment. With the partnerships of civil rights organizations, multiple victories were achieved. Many untold stories like this represent the reality of life in America as a Black person, but the people themselves, who have persevered unimaginable circumstances are the ones that I wish to honor through my work.
How has Instagram impacted your art career?
I see instagram as possibly the best platform for entering a community of individuals sharing like interests. It is a place for sharing what you do, but probably more of a place for discovery. It's allowed me to extend my reach to a greater audience, but equally important, it has served as a tool to meet incredible people. This leads to opportunities that may benefit your career, but furthermore, it broadens your global circle of friends and family where lives, stories, and humanity are mutually valued.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
My future goals can be summed up into one word... "collaborations"! I've started talks with several other creatives of various talents and skill sets with plans of putting together creative productions that may result in art of various forms... paintings, photography, video, performance, poetry, etc. I think artistic experiences can become increasingly more powerful when it is the result of multiple creatives working together.
Follow Ronald on IG: @Ronald_jackson_artworks
Website: www.ronaldjacksonartworks.com