Dec 9, 2010

The Art of Toy by Jason Daniel Jackson Calendar


I have put together a calendar of recent toy paintings available through lulu.com

To check it out click the link below

Support independent publishing: Buy this calendar on Lulu.

Oct 6, 2010

Trail Ridge

Trail Ridge 24x24 Oil On Linen
On a recent trip to Denver I had the opportunity to take a ride over Trail Ridge Road. This road is amazing. We started our eight hour trip accross the mountains at six in the morning. We reached the highest point at 12,183 feet. Along the way we saw several herds of elk avoiding the heat of summer. One of the most amazing parts was passing the tree line. The started getting shorter until what would be a massive tree now resembled a bush.

Friday I will be delivering this and another painting to The Gallery in chattanooga for their 2010 Western Show. Many of the gallery artist went on a trip to Alaska this summer. The opening will be October 15th from 5 til 8 pm.


Oct 5, 2010

Can't Get Enough

Can't Get Enough 16x20 Oil On Linen
SOLD

A recent trip with my wife to one of my favorite antique stores inspired my new painting. We saw several gumball machines while walking the aisles. There were several different sizes. They had a huge round one which we thought would be funny if it had a monkey in it eating the gumballs. I often see hopeful subject matter and am then disappointed that I can't pay too much for something to paint. All of the would be subjects were way to expensive. Several days later my sweet wife surprised me with my own gumball machine. I decided the sock monkey that I bought the weekend of her graduation would be a perfect companion.

Sep 13, 2010

Tough

Tough 14x11 Oil
SOLD

When I first started painting toys I would think to myself' "Really, toys ! ","What is this about?". I am still figuring it out.

I believe an artists' work speaks for itself. Every painting is an honest statement of the artists understanding of the craft, mentality, maturity, etc.; It is all there for us to dig deep!

A good artist through repetition develops the ability to utilize the fundamentals subconsciously, though we must remind ourselves of things like drawing, values, edges, and design; these things through experience become more intuitive. What does my work tell the viewer about me?


Aug 18, 2010

Night, Night

Night, Night 14x11 Oil
SOLD

I often find inspiration or subject matter while traveling. I found this guy at an antique store in Lewisburg, West Virginia. His gorilla like stature really appealed to me. What often inspires me to paint a certain toy many times is the humor. They make me laugh. I hope that my viewers are confronted by the same feelings.

I will be going on a plein air painting trip to Denver, Colorado this week. The paintings will be part of a western show at The Gallery in Chattanooga, TN. For more information visit www.redbankgallery.com . I will Post pics here when I get back.


Aug 14, 2010

About Toys


Lamby Pie 9x12 Oil Private Collection

I have been painting vintage toys for several years now. In 2006 I was trying to find my creative voice, wanting to paint something different than traditional still life I started to go through my personal belongings. A memory of a stuffed lamb that my sister and I shared as children came to mind. Shortly thereafter I found this toy at my grandparents and went straight to my studio to paint it. After I had painted my first toy painting I started to notice many other abandoned toys, mainly at antique stores. First I found a stuffed penguin. The humorous quality of these toys was very exciting to me. I was really attracted to ones that has this generic quality, unlike fad toys like beanie babies. Finding these unfamiliar abandoned toys related to my beliefs about quality versus mass production and individuality versus popularity. Some of these toys might have been popular at one time but I was drawn to them because of their character. I have painted many toys since "Lamby Pie" and will continue to share them here.