Meet Spring Break Jake

We had the good fortune of connecting with Spring Break Jake and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Spring Break Jake, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
It was deciding to go to therapy. That might sound kind of out there but really getting to know/working on myself has had a massively positive impact on all areas of my life, especially my art & creativity. Not only did I overcome mental health issues that were getting in my way, but I figured out what was most important to me (and why) which gave me so much more clarity on what I wanted to create and how I wanted to present it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am a Bend, Oregon-based painter creating heavily textured, multi-layered work using the juxtaposition of tropical imagery and colors with macabre, Memento Mori-style illustrations. But it certainly hasn’t always been this way…

I grew up in Minnesota, drawing since before I can remember. A love of art continued through high school when I was introduced to Photoshop and shifted course to graphic design. After a number of years designing snowboards in my spare time to designing snowboards for clients, I noticed I was getting and enjoying more illustration work. Focusing on illustration led me to get a mural project where I was reminded of just how much I love painting. What really sealed the deal on my career in fine art was becoming the first Artist-in-Residence with Scalehouse Arts here in Bend. It wasn’t always easy but looking back I’m incredibly grateful for the journey and to be where I’m at today.

As for my current work, new and recurring themes come from my own lived experiences with depression and anxiety. I knew I wanted my paintings to help reduce stigmas and encourage vulnerability surrounding mental health. The hardest times in my life were always made easier by connecting with other people’s stories, so the hope is to give people even a hint of that solidarity through my art. Also inherent in the work are messages around accepting the reality of the human experience; such as using the finite nature of life as motivation to live to the fullest and accepting the good with the bad to help make peace with hardship when it comes.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For LA, I would definitely go to outsider galleries like Superchief and Shit Art Club. I also love a good show at The Comedy Store or Largo.

As for Bend, I’d make sure to start the day with a visit to The Pantry, then take them for a swim anywhere off the Cascade Lakes Highway, and be sure to visit a place like Spork or Dear Mom Cafe for dinner.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
MASSIVE shoutout to my partner, my muse, and the love of my life, Kait Kenobi aka Midnight Grim. For a while, I had hit a rut in what I was doing creatively, but pretty much since the day we started dating I felt the floodgates open and I’ve been passionately pursuing new creative endeavors ever since. Without her love, support, and encouragement I absolutely wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://springbreakjake.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/springbreak.jake

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-kenobi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/springbreakjakeart

Other: jake@springbreakjake.com

Image Credits
Brooklyn Wagner
Kait Kenobi