Jacob Rodriguez
Artist Statement
As a child, I was awestruck by creation's design. The beauty and diversity of all creation inspire me to replicate it using my own perspective. When I was younger, I recall watching Blue's Clues around five in the morning. I was really inspired to draw things I observe after seeing Steve sketch in his small notebook with yellow pages. My love of art would soon be fueled by that tiny spark, which would soon blossom into an eternal fire. Throughout middle and high school, I attended art classes. Along the way, I would pick up new abilities like sculpting and learn how to sketch 2D shapes in 3D. Things weren't always bright and sunny—there were burnouts and a loss of enthusiasm in creating anything at all, but there was always hope for the future. In my senior year of high school, I began to take art seriously. I used painting applications like Fire Alpaca, Paint Tool Sai, and Clip Studio Paint on a drawing tablet that I got for Christmas. To obtain any leverage in the times I was living, I would draw continuously for hours on end. You know, I was at my wits' end; life was going past, and I was beginning to question whether I could complete any degree in art by myself. I needed help. One night, I prayed to God in my garage, asking him to help me on this adventure I was embarking on. May his hands be working through me. Regardless of my level of achievement, I give God the praise for bringing me this far because, despite all the signs that things wouldn't work out, I am still standing here because of his grace, mercy, and strength. I sincerely hope and wish that my artwork will inspire others to express their own creativity. Release your inner child to sketch what catches your attention and to be in awe of creation and design. My soul longs for my future projects to somehow reach people who have lost hope and whose thoughts have gone out. May even one person be moved by my artistic endeavors to give God another chance in their lives. My work begins with a blank canvas, and I exercise my mental muscles by imagining what I want to create. After praying for inspiration when I'm at a loss for ideas, I search the internet for anything that resonates with me in relation to what I want to make. I seek assistance from artists online who have the answer to any problems I have with my artwork.
I believe we don't have to make things more difficult for ourselves by attempting to do it alone. I support the habit of seeking assistance. Not only does it humble you, but you also learn things you didn't know before you asked. As an artist and a person, remain loyal and truthful to yourself. Remember the lessons you learned from your struggles. Embrace the insight you acquire during moments that appear to be failure but are actually the pen strokes that create who you are. I am a part of my art, and art is a part of me. Any thing I have ever produced and continue to produce has traces of who I am woven into its fabric. To conclude, my father once told me that we are not to label ourselves as just “artists” we are “creatives”, no matter the medium we choose or what life throws at us we will be creative no matter what comes our way. Stay creative. Keep creating. Jeremiah 29:11. Isaiah 43: 18-19. Romans 5:8. Romans 8:11.
