Spring Break Jake (aka Jake Kenobi)

In this episode of the Have You Seen? series, Carrie Scott chats with Spring Break Jake (aka Jake Kenobi), a self-taught painter & mixed media artist born & raised in Minneapolis, MN, currently based in Bend, OR. Jake uses the inevitability of death as motivation to explore the inner oceans of mental health. By creating darkly tropical work that focuses on vulnerability, he illuminates the unseen parts of ourselves while encouraging an acceptance of both the good & the bad, the light & the dark.

From the adherence of found materials to the sculptural effect of thickened acrylic paint, his painting’s themes are reflected in his unique illustrative technique on top of textured layers of gestural abstraction; a physical representation of our often tumultuous minds.

Through the repeated symbolism of death on holiday, Jake’s art ultimately recognizes that while no one gets out of this life alive, we can all find paradise along the way.

From Carrie:

"Otherwise known as Jake Kenobi, his work is raw, emotional, entirely his own. With a background in graphic design and roots in the snowboard industry, he's carved out a practice that feels different. He's blending branding, chaos, emotion, and big topics like insomnia and mental health all into a kind of palatable aesthetic. I got to meet him because he booked a one-to-one consult with me and I was so interested in his work and his practice and excited by the aesthetic that I asked him to do an interview together because I wanted you all to see his work. He's open and honest and the furthest thing from spring break. Each piece feels like a diary entry, layered, textured, emotional, vulnerable. I loved this conversation with him. I love where he's going with the work. I'm excited to follow this guy's career and see what's next. Jake's work ultimately captures the space, the liminal space between paradise and darkness. And I loved talking to him. And I think that you'll enjoy hearing from him, too.

Explore Jake's work: https://springbreakjake.com/

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About the Have You Seen? series:

The ⁠Have You Seen? Series⁠ is all about talking to emerging and mid-career artists about their journey to now.

Curious about how an artist got to where they are or indeed why they chose art in the first place? Then this series is for you. Join us as we speak to emerging and mid-career artists across the globe. Don’t worry, there’s no hiding behind art speak here, or pretending that being an artist is a bowl of cherries. We’re here to hear it all, straight from the source.