Jarrett Camp
Award-winning Los Angeles artist Jarrett Camp was born in Warren, Ohio, and grew up mostly in West Covina, California where he became fascinated with skateboard culture. He finds inspiration in the way the people of LA express their passion, whether it’s through skateboarding, fine art, or graffiti.
Dyslexia affects the left side of the brain impairing the ability to sort out language in the correct sequence, which in turn makes processing the alphabet extremely difficult. While this is a challenge, Camp has leveraged the inherent benefits of dyslexia — an aptitude for two-dimensional representation as well as three-dimensional design. For instance, when frustrated with his inability to get a piece of perspective perfectly, he’s been known to carve the problematic image out of an eraser at hand to use as a model from which to draw.
His work ranges in size from 18”x24” to upwards of 60” x 80”. Using 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5-micron pens at 500-1000 dots per square inch on archival giclée paper. His work can take up to eight months to complete.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
When I was 15 months of age my dad put me on his lap and started drawing in front of me, and I was so fascinated by this that I took the pencil out of his hands and started drawing every sense. Now my goal as an artist is to put myself in some shoes to create an escapism world to which I can relate too as well as many others.
My artistic journey unfolds through a four-level process, each stage integral to the creation of my work. The first level involves a thorough investigation of the chosen topic, immersing myself in the culture, and using my imagination in the social, and emotional nuances that surround it. This phase allows me to gather a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives, forming the foundation for my art.
The second level is a transition from conscious study to an unconscious exploration. Here, I enter a meditative state, allowing my mind to drift and discover new dimensions of the subject. This process of meditation is where the essence of the topic begins to crystallize, and the initial conceptual framework of the piece is formed.
In the third level, I construct the envisioned artwork in my mind, a mental blueprint that guides the physical creation. This mental construction is deliberate and intuitive, balancing the structured analysis of the topic with the spontaneous emergence of ideas.
The fourth and most extraordinary aspect of my method is the role of my subconscious, influenced by my dyslexia. As I begin to meticulously build the stipple piece on paper, my subconscious mind takes over, creating multiple images simultaneously. This phenomenon results in the creation of two to four pieces at once, each interconnected yet distinct, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the original topic.
This unique approach amplifies my work's depth and complexity and embodies the intricate interplay between conscious intention and unconscious creativity. My art becomes a visual dialogue between structured thought and spontaneous expression, capturing the essence of the subject in a way that is both intricate and expansive.
Through my stipple and pointillism pieces, I aim to offer viewers a profound and layered experience, inviting them to explore the many facets of the topics that shape our shared human experience. My work is a testament to the power of art to reveal hidden connections, challenge perceptions, and evoke a deeper understanding of the world around us.
