Local artist Fred Jackson has a unique perspective when it comes to his painting subjects. Instead of still-life fruits or rigid portraits, Jackson prefers to find his ideas in the alleyways of West Chester, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News.
Most of his paintings are set in West Chester, where he and his family grew up on Franklin Street. His father was an artist, and Jackson started drawing outdoors at a young age. He only started painting about 10 years ago. Now, his art hangs on the walls of the Church Street Gallery.
He focuses on the borough’s beautiful architecture, but the main ticket is the alleyways and one-way roads that only a utilities worker or delivery driver would know best.
“I find my subjects in common places: right under your nose,” he said. “West Chester is an interesting little village and the locals really understand that the alleys behind the main facades are fascinating.”
Jackson often paints en plein air (outdoors), and huddles in his studio with photos and sketches in the colder months. He calls his creative process experimental and improvisational, allowing creative instincts to take over while “making a variety of interesting marks.”
Jackson’s gallery opens Jan. 9 on Church Street with dozens of oil paintings to view until Feb. 28.
Read more about Fred Jackson and check out his work within the next weeks at The Daily Local News.
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Fred Jackson’s work has been displayed around Chester County.
