Check Out Robyn Jackson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robyn Jackson

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The art of Robyn Jackson can be described as abstract empowerment. What started as a form of self-care to help find peace blossomed into a calling to create. Robyn began working with acrylic paint in 2019 and sold her first large piece at a craft fair. The piece found a home with a biracial family who wanted their daughter to be surrounded with images of beautiful Black women created by Black women. With the use of acrylic paint her vibrant paintings evoke feelings of unity, power, love, and peace.

As a child growing up in Denver, Colorado Robyn’s art journey started by volunteering for the Colorado Black Arts Festival. As an elementary child she practiced African dance routines for the annual festival with her mother Ana Cox at the Glenarm Recreation Center in Five Points. Being immersed in Denver’s Black art community as a child helped her develop a pride in her Blackness. Robyn continued her journey with artist expression while attending college. As a first-generation undergraduate student at the University of Northern Colorado she combined written artistic expression to create passive education material that focused on racism and discrimination. She found power in her words and published original research with the Ronald E. McNair Scholar program. Her published article examined the relationship between mentors
and mentees to determine if there was a correlation between success, ethnic identity, and gender called, “An ‘Endangered Species’ African American Men in Education: How Mentorship Can Help”

Her artwork captures the fluidity and movement of acrylic pour painting, allowing viewers to experience its enchanting allure in a new dimension. Robyn has used her creative expression as a way to express her artistic passion while honoring the memory of her late brother Jeremiah Essien. As a child she remembered creating silhouettes of her head as gifts for her parents. She uses the silhouette images of Black people to pay homage to this and as a way to promote the diversity and uniqueness of Blackness. Her goal is that all people can see themselves in her work. Each piece is an invitation to explore the captivating dance of colors, to immerse oneself in the interplay of vibrant energy and tranquil stillness.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I feel like my journey is not unique. I have had great experiences where I feel seen, heard, and valued. I
I have encountered challenges that have ultimately taught me lessons. I feel like one of my biggest struggles is others seeing the value in my art. Abstract art is not always taking seriously and pour paint/fluid art is seen as a craft art. I have interacted with folks that felt they could easily recreate my work while not seeing the technique that I have mastered and the unique stories behind my work. Another common struggle for artist in finding places to showcase their artwork. As an upcoming artist I am breaking into the art scene and that means applying and being rejected for a lot of art calls. Even though consistent rejection can create self-doubt and imposter syndrome, I try to focus on positive self talk and centering myself in knowing my value and worth.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a abstract artist that works with acrylic fluid paint. I use light weight paints and gravity to create abstract that is grounded in mental health and the black identity. In addition I have started working with ceramics creating unique dinner ware and every day goods to highlight the beauty in the Black identity. To date I have two proudest moments. The first in being a new board member of the Colorado Black Arts Festival. As a child, teenager, and adulted I participated and visited the festival every year and I am excited to support the mission of the festival and continue the legacy. My second proudest moment to date is selling one of my favorite pieces “Pick” at the 2024 Call for Art: Artist’s Choice at the Lakewood Cultural Center. This piece is apart of my collection called “Sacred” a collection celebrating the beauty of Black hair and the tools used to create the many styles we wear. Each piece is gold, black, and brown representing the richness of the Black culture while showcasing tools like a comb and pick to create the beauty styles Black people wear to celebrate their beauty.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I keep hearing the people I look up to say, “Keep your head down and do the work. It will be your time to shine.” Something I wish I knew when I first started is people like my work for my point of view. Do not do work that you think others want. Create what brings you joy and other will find the beauty in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jera-miah-arts.square.site/
• Instagram: @Jeremiah_Jackson86
• Facebook: @jeramiaharts
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynjackson1/

Image Credits
Photo by PORTRAITS BY RACHEL MCCLASKEY