Interview
Cindy Jacobs
Cindy Jacobs is an artist from Kearney, Nebraska, specializing in watercolor, oil, acrylic, and ink/calligraphy, whose work reflects her rural Nebraska roots. Cindy’s work is a combination of realism and playfulness. Having studied art at UNK and continued self-education, Cindy has exhibited at the Brickwalk Art Gallery, earned awards including "Best of Show," and is represented by Penny Lane Publishing with art sold to retailers nationally and internationally.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I recently found my Kindergarten report card, and it said, ‘Cindy is good at coloring!’ So, my journey started very early. Growing up on a farm in rural Nebraska left me a lot of time to be creative. I liked to color and draw. My Aunt bought me a calligraphy pen and instruction book when I was in the 6th grade. I loved sitting at the kitchen table and practicing fancy letters. I also loved to draw elaborate house plans. I have always been interested in interior decorating and loved pouring over decorating magazines at my Grandmother's house. Both my Grandmothers had extensive flower gardens as well as my Mother. I have always been touched by flowers because of their extreme beauty but also because they evoke melancholy memories of walking through flower gardens with family and discussing flowers and species. It felt very Monet-esque!
I had a small art scholarship to UNK in Kearney NE and took classes until I started a family. I had three young children under the age of 3 and I would be sure they all took their naps at the same time and then I would run to my art studio on the porch and create as much art as I could in that limited time. Back in 1987, I was taking some of my Art and Calligraphy around to Art/Craft shows when a gal named Betty Streff saw my artwork and she thought it should be manufactured and sold to retail stores. She found me a marketing company in KC and I began manufacturing my artwork in January of 1988. The first few orders were not many, but then they just started rolling in. I couldn’t keep up with the expansion. That’s when I realized my art might be more than a side hustle. As I became more of a ‘business person’ than an artist. We had sales of 1.2-1.75 million annual and many employees and 4 retail stores. It took a tole on my creativity. So I sold my manufacturing business and signed up with Penny Lane Fine Art. They sell my art as reproductions to Hobby Lobby, Kirklands, Home Goods, At Home, Walmart etc. I keep painting and they keep selling! I have many collectors of my original artwork and I am grateful for that! It keeps me encouraged and keeps me inspired. I feel really supported in my art. Growing up, I had a very smart brother, so I always felt out of place in a family of intellectuals. But I have come to terms with that and know that we each have our gifts and should use them to the fullest to glorify God in all we do!”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My artwork aims to create beauty in the home. I love interior decorating and I love to see my artwork (original or reproduction) in people's homes. Home is our happy place. It should reflect the things we love and the things that makes us happy. Maybe they evoke that same sense of melancholy as I walked through my grandmother's flower gardens. Or maybe its just the perfect color and size to match your living room couch! Nothing makes me happier than to make others happy with beautiful art in their home.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I always plan my work in advance. I have an extensive catalog of photographs I have taken to work from. I'm a very amateur photographer but I can usually get a decent photograph by using good lighting. Whether in a studio setting or capturing the morning light. Or my favorite: evening light when the shadows cast long and a golden glow is in the sky.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I always stay on top of the current trends. In my collaboration with my publisher and the requests we get from large chain stores there is always a new trend on the horizon. In fine art, the trends are always changing as well. Technology is changing at a rapid speed and is changing the horizon for art. But one thing will never change; the artist touch and the personal, human creativity for new.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I start with a sketch on watercolor paper from a photo I use for reference. Then, I have 7 pallets of watercolors. One for each color of the rainbow. I begin each painting with what I think will be the hardest part. That way if I mess up I don't have to do the whole thing over. With watercolor you can modify your art some. But really not a lot. Watercolor is very unforgiving and no taking back! I have just started painting with oil and acrylics. Everything I have learned in painting with watercolor about colors and mixing colors is transposing to those new mediums. Oil paint takes so long to dry that I am working on several at time. I always like to try new things!”
What does your art mean to you?
“Everything. It is the very heart and soul of who I am. I have always felt the need to apologize for it but by accepting and embracing it my soul is complete. I wake up every day to paint! Sometimes, I am so excited about a piece of artwork that I have a hard time falling asleep. When others enjoy my art, it makes me feel complete. Like my mission in life is served. I thank God everyday (literally) for this gift.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“I did a piece of artwork in college that my professor (when he found out it was mine) called it a happy accident. It is a reminder to me of perseverance because I almost gave up on art after that. Now, I have sold millions of pieces of my art because of fortitude, resilience and the drive to not give up on who/what I was made to be.”
Website: www.cindyjacobsartwork.net
Instagram: @gallerycindyjacobs
Brush Bio: www.brush.bio/cindyjacobsgallery
