Jake (Juhcob) Speelman

Visual Art – Louisville

Chicago born, Louisville raised for the last 21 years. My father was a musician, and my mother, a fantastic artist. I started my life in the arts at age 10, playing the Double Bass in orchestra. Spurred on by supportive friends and family, I played in orchestras and bands all through school, including graduating high school from the Youth Performing Arts School, and a full year at the School of Music at the University of Louisville. I will forever hold on to the things I learned about what it means to be an artist, from my time in school for music. Though, after so long, my desire for the arts didn't become more and more specific, as it should when in college for playing an instrument. I found myself yearning not just to decorate the time we exist in with music, but the space we exist in as well with all different kinds of mediums. I felt the need the explore everything I could think of, to find the art form, or the medium, that not just spoke to me, but allowed me to express myself, and speak through it. Paint and color truly terrified me. It was the fear of imperfection that I grew so accustomed to, that stopped me from putting color to a canvas. Though, thanks to the love, support, and inspiration from my amazing girlfriend and her wonderful daughter, I found the courage and drive to finally find my way of expressing myself. If for nothing else, then just to thank the two most amazing people I'm blessed to have in my life. From the very first time I saw what an acrylic pour was, I had to do it. I needed to be able to make the most awe-inspiring, deep and dreamy, abstract art that you could stare at and fall into for hours. From the very first painting I did, I knew I had finally found myself. I finally found how I could express anything and everything I needed too.