Meet Cara Jackson: Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cara Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cara, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I have this quote posted above my desk: “We are all meant to shine, as children do…And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” –Marianne Williamson It’s an important reminder that my pursuit of art is valuable not just to me but also to the people around me, and that we can lift up others through the pursuit of our passions. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I make vibrant acrylic paintings inspired by my experiences hiking and camping in public parks. My work is very bold and colorful, a style that I developed after working as a graphic designer. I’m currently working on a series called Iconic Texas which highlights the landscapes, plants, and animals I’ve discovered in Texas State Parks. It’s scheduled to be exhibited in May at the Dougherty Arts Center, and will be my first solo art show! I’m thrilled to be exhibiting in galleries and finding an audience through social media. It was scary to leave my graphic design job (and regular paycheck) to pursue art full-time, but I felt that it was something I had to do. I’ve dedicated and re-dedicated myself to my work since taking that leap, and though I do still have moments where I feel scared, I’m learning to use my fear as a guide – to move towards it and not let it control me. When I am feeling a bit lost, seeking advice from other creatives has been a huge help. I stay in touch with artists I met in college, at art shows, and I look for resources like blogs, articles, and books. “The Artists Way,” “Big Magic,” and “You Are A Badass” were three very influential books for me. I started painting landscapes because I wanted to share the beauty I find in nature with others. I hope that my art brings joy to the viewer and can be a reminder of a favorite place they visited or trip they took, and maybe even inspire them to explore a park they’ve never been to.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d definitely take them camping at Enchanted Rock, outside of Frederickburg. The hiking trails are wonderful, the night sky is full of stars, and the giant pink granite dome definitely has a magical quality to it. It’s also great, being so close to Fredericksburg, because you can easily drive in for lunch at one of the German-inspired beer gardens.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mother, she was always supportive and encouraged me to follow my heart with bravery. She showed me how to believe in myself.

Website: https://carajackson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carajacksonart/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carajacksonart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaraJacksonArt/