Jonathan Paul Jackson is a native Texan. He is a self-taught artist working in Houston. Having apprenticed with and been influenced by Houston artists Angelbert Metoyer and Robert Hodge, ailment  Jackson has inserted himself into a heritage of Houston art-making that begins, in some ways with patriarchal figures in Houston art Jesse Lott and Bert L,. Long, Jr. His artworks are the result of experiments in abstraction as he forages a new philosophy toward painting that is at once his own as well as part of a larger dialogue about the nature of painting and perception, executed through the filer of an African American perspective.\n\n\n\n1. What do you do to bring art to the surrounding community?\n\nI have been organizing art shows for emerging artist between the age of 17-35 at alternative spaces for the past 11 years in Houston.\n\n2. How did you first get into art?\n\nI have been naturally curious of art since I was a young child. Luckily enough my uncle and brother could draw really well so they taught me at about the age of 11.\n\n3. How has your talent evolved since you began?\n\nYes, for sure. And I hope it continues to do so.\n\n4. What type of art/artist do you most identify with?\n\nMy art has been called abstract expressionism. I mean there’s the obvious Jean-Michel Basquiat. But I love the work and philosophy of Albert Oehlen who’s a German Abstract Expressionist.\n\n5. What is you biggest dream as an artist?\n\nTo live incredibly comfortably off of selling my art work and have sculptures or installations in 5 major international cities.\n\n6. What is your favorite thing to do besides art?\n\nCooking and having dinner parties with friends. I also enjoy riding bikes.\n\n7. What was your inspiration for your part of the Collective Solid?\n\nPushing myself and my imagination in a different direction.\n\n8. What is the most memorable thing someone has said to you about your work?\n\nHaving an important mentor tell me to make art for myself and if others like it than that’s just a plus.\n\n9. How do you think people should try to find art in their daily lives?\n\nThey shouldn’t feel that have to find it. It’s everywhere. Maybe read about different disciplines in art. So when they are in their everyday lives they will be able to recognize the art that exist around them every day and when they go to museums and galleries they approach the work with a different mind set. I hope that makes sense.\n\n10. Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?\n\nNever stop working. Always be making art. Always have a sketch book out when not painting. And when not sketching or painting, be gathering resource material.  Always be working.