We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jackie Salgado. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jackie below.

Alright, Jackie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In 2022 I was finishing the final stretch of my bachelor’s in Pre-Med and I had a moment of honesty with myself, asking if it was truly what I was meant to do in my life. I decided to pursue my art full time as a single parent and take the risk of working full time as an independent artist. Through the years of perfecting my own style and artistry, while mastering self discipline and maintaining energy for work and single motherhood, my art truly blossomed on its own.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Xicana (Tlaxcala Pueblo) & First Nations Ojibwe-Chippewa (Sault Ste Marie Tribe) artist & muralist based in southern Texas. My art is spiritually and culturally based multidisciplinary work, mostly consisting of murals, very large scale canvas, black illustration board, acrylic, fine lined ink, and white charcoal. Both sides of my roots heavily influence my art and style of storytelling through my work. Aside from exhibitions, I am an artist open to being commissioned for my work, contracted for murals, and I also occasionally participate in local pop ups around San Antonio area. My art is a reflection of my core beliefs and experiences as a brown woman of color and I feel that it’s a responsibility to use my work to the best of my ability to advocate for wildlife, First Nations people, and my culture overall, I think art truly helps humanize Indigenous people and it also can be a tool that helps people to appreciate wildlife.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As an artist, I had to relearn confidence and forthrightness. I grew up being excluded from spaces for the color of my skin and being treated like I wasn’t meant to be in those spaces, through my art I feel like it’s an act of resiliency to reclaim spaces where Indigenous artists aren’t as respected or welcomed. Being rooted in the Seven Grandfather Teachings of my tribe & understanding how to ground myself in core values has helped me overcome any feeling of intimidation or fear. I think art truly taught me the meaning of courage and holding space for myself to exist as a creative, a knowledge keeper & a culture bearer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Though it can be difficult to find true friends in this industry, I feel the most rewarding part has been the few I have made along the way who have supported my work through so much. I enjoy having like minded individuals around me that have the same core values and understanding of what it’s like to grow up from struggle. I didn’t have the means to get an art degree or get any formal training in techniques or in business management. I just took the risk and continued adjusting as I learned. I appreciate having people who not only bring out the best in me, but challenge me in every aspect to be better or to grow in ways that can help me and everyone around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://events.getcreativesanantonio.com/artist/jack-salgado/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluemoonart.satx

Image Credits
Jerrome Griffin