From Jan. 19 to Feb. 11, Bemidji State University’s Talley Gallery will present the multi-medium prints created by BSU alum Nicholas Jackson ’06. The exhibition, titled “Through the Darkness: Painted Hope” features a unique collection of paintings featuring fantasy settings and elements of storytelling that the artist implements in his in work.Jackson’s journey through his artistry tells a story of resilience and exploration. After graduating from Bemidji State, he became a full-time freelance illustrator for ten years. During this time, Jackson worked for a multitude of different publishing companies creating children’s books. When he was not working on his commissions, Jackson created his own art and experimented with different mediums.After suffering an injury in his arm, Jackson was told that he no longer be able to paint, but he persevered. The images featured in the gallery exhibit include scenes from fantasy novels and movies that Jackson has worked on, as well as his own recent illustrations. A unifying message within the brightly colored pieces are images of perseverance in the face of adversity.“I was devastated,” Jackson said. “I knew within myself that I am an artist, that I need to create.”As he healed, Jackson explored different avenues to continue making art. After many attempts at utilizing different types of mediums, Jackson found that oil painting caused him the least amount of pain. The themes of his painting became centered around images of hope. In addition to creating images inspired by the stories that resonated with him through his life, Jackson also created images inspired his own stories.“As an artist I think it’s important to pay homage to the stories that came before you,” he said. “Each image that I have chosen are images that have inspired me and I hope they inspire others to tell stories.”
