Kirk Jackson sat looking relaxed and comfortable in his paint-stained jeans. If you saw Jackson around campus, you'd probably assume he was just another Longwood student trudging off to class. However, he was here for the university’s Working Artist Program.
Jackson explained the basics of the program by saying, "It’s essentially just a time and a space to make work, have access to facilities. My primary goal there is to improve my portfolio, so I can apply to different residencies and potentially grad schools."
His specific passion involves making usable pots, a passion that he found only after experimenting with many different forms of art. He gained most of this experience at his high school in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio as well as at Ohio State University where he attended college.
However, now that Jackson has found his passion in Ceramics, he only has eyes for clay. "I've always liked clay and how it can take on any form. To me, it's the ultimate medium; you can draw on it, you can paint on it, you can print on it, you can sculpt it, you can make functional wares. It can really do anything you want it to do, and I've always liked that about it. I'd always wanted to learn how to throw on the potter's wheel, and once I did learn, it was game over. I fell in love with clay"
As Jackson talked about clay, the potter's wheel and his art in general, it was clear that he had truly found his calling in life. Even when he discussed other things in his life, his passion for art seemed to encompass everything.
Not only was Jackson lucky enough to find his life's passion buthealsogottouseitasa vehicle to travel around the world. He even got to spend a semester in China in a program similar to Longwood's Working Artist Program. Due to the country’s rich ceramics culture, Jackson felt that the time he spent in China was his best experience in the art world to date.
However, Jackson was nothing if not grateful. When asked if he had any experience in the art world that he considers the worst, he said, "That's a tough one. I wish I had a really good answer for that. I'm sure I've had some bad, funny experiences, but honestly, it's just all been pretty positive"
Jackson is living the dream of many young artists, but in a way, he's living the dream almost all people have, which is to find your passion and live life doing it. "I think whether you're going into the art field or not, the best thing I could say would be to find something you're passionate about and do that every day. Find something that makes you excited and do that, and work your a-- off to make it possible,” said Jackson.
He continued, “You know I'm going into a career path [that doesn’t have much job security] ... I could get my hands chopped of tomorrow, and I wouldn't be able to make pots, but I'd find a different way to make them without my hands. Every day I wake up, and I'm excited to get to the studio. I can't imagine doing something I wasn't excited about every day ... I found what I feel like is a calling, and it just makes me excited about doing something. You’ve got to do something that makes you happy and keep doing that. I'll be struggling probably for the rest of my life as an artist, but at least I'll be doing something that makes me happy."
