Experiencing Joy Through Art

   Hello! Since this is the first post, let me introduce myself. I am Jason Walcott, self-proclaimed artist, typeface designer, and lover of all things creative! Ever since I was a small child, I have had a need to create, whether it be a drawing, painting, music, font, and most recently Halloween folk art! 

   When I first started college in 1989, I had grand dreams of being an architect, but that was not meant to be. I came to realize what I loved about the idea of that career was the design and creativity. Once I got into the required math and physics classes I realized it was not for me, as those are not my strong suits. I then embarked on pursuing a degree in Fine Arts, specializing in Illustration and Graphic Design. I converted that love of creating into a successful career as a typeface (font) designer which has been fun and fullfilling. 

   A few years ago I came back to fine art painting and my passion for that re-ignited. So much so, that I know it will stay with me forever now. I have as much fascination with painting as I do with the materials from which art is made. In this blog I would like to share that passion for art and design with you in the hopes that I can reveal to you how to use art to enhance your joy in life and the beauty of your surroundings…

   What is art? Well, anything really! We are immersed in a world of creation. A computer might not be considered “art”, but it would not exist if someone hadn’t had the idea of it, designed it and created it in the world. Without creativity we would not all be connected online today, watching TV, driving cars, shopping at stores or sending texts. Everything human thing we see around us is the product of someone’s creativity from the first stone-age arrowhead to today's most advanced surgical equipment. 

   A mentor of mine, Daniel Edmondson, says “There is no such thing as bad art or good art. There is only art you like and art you don't like”. I agree…As the old saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder and that is something no one can ever take away from you. 

   If you love paintings of dogs playing poker, cats knitting, sweeping landscapes, quiet still lifes, abstract slashes of color, or you prefer the work of Thomas Kinkade over Pablo Picasso, or Renoir over Rembrandt…that is your truth. Don’t let anyone ever make you feel ashamed or wrong for what you love. Own it and love it with all your heart. Art should uplift us, speak to us, move us or enhance our lives in some way that is personal…whatever that may be for you. That is art’s gift to us. That is its legacy…