Caroline Jackman - Artist Profile

What sparked your journey into art?

My great grandad gave me a set of quality watercolour paints and sketch book when I was 11.  I always looked up to him and his work as a painter.  I still think of that gift today.  It gave me permission to take myself seriously.

How would you describe your artistic style to someone seeing it for the first time?

Bold, colourful, encapsulating characteristics of animals through figurative study

What inspires you most when creating new work?

The personalities of animals, they are so varied.

Walk us through how you create a typical piece, from inspiration to completion

I have spent my whole life around animals, from having the passion to be a vet as a child, to training horses to running a farm.  Each day tells its own story and that is my starting point.

What makes your creative process unique?

Colour, bold mark making, the composition all contribute, but it is the eyes of the subject matter that tell their unique story.

Share a favourite studio ritual or habit that's part of your creative routine.

Looking through my sketch books and photos and then just starting with writing notes.  

What excited you about creating this particular collection?

These are all animals from my farm that I wish to share.  Presenting them as ink sketches that would compliment each other and work individually was a nice challenge to have.

What's your favourite piece from this collection and why?

The ewe, simply as it was the hardest to produce, making it all the more satisfying.  I am pleased with how the wool and fur worked with the mark making.

What do you hope customers feel when they see these designs?

All animals have personalities.  

When not creating art, where might we find you?

On the farm or in my office as a freelance coach and business consultant.

Surprising Fact: I used to be terrified of spiders.  This is very impractical living on a farm.  I started to study them through art and now, I love them.  They are beautiful. 

Future Plans

I hope to secure some funding for some mentoring for creative development.  Your skills development journey never stops.  Life is a continuous learning journey.