Working from his garden studio, Scottsdale artist John Wayne Jackson has turned his passion for gardening toward creating contemporary fossils. Reminiscent of fossilized images ins tone, his leaf art is unique and instantly recognizable for the richness of color and texture he creates as well as the scale of some of the work.
“Nature is my constant companion and my partner. I love working with plants and feel blessed every day.”
Jackson’s previous career included consulting with corporations and government agencies. The transition to professional artist was a big stretch.
“I’ve learned to enjoy working alone now…having had people around me throughout my consulting career. In working alone, I’ve also learned to let me imagination run wild. I feel like the luckiest guy alive to have discovered two passions in one lifetime!”
Unable to find suitable materials to achieve the effects he was seeking, Jackson formulated the sculpting media, dyes and stains used in creating these sculptures. Using actual leaves, each piece is sculpted from a unique proprietary medium called Omega Stone. They are then dyed, stained and sealed. His work has been included in corporate headquarters, botanic gardens, galleries, high-end retail and residences across the country.
Jackson was invited to England by Durham University to cast six-foot Gunnera leaves on the campus. His work hands in the botanic garden at the Huntington Library Gardens in San Marino, California and at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.
Jackson makes his home in Scottsdale where he lives with his wife Paige.
Jackson also makes beautiful assemblages for coasters. All of his coasters are furnished with a coating that will soak in the moisture from your drinks and absorb – not ruin the creative pieces. Both ceramic leaves and coasters can be found here at Mullaly’s 128 Studio & Gallery in Elk Rapids.