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

Jacob , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

It would be difficult to pick “the most meaningful project.” As a tattooer, all the work that I do is meaningful to the clients that I serve. And the act of tattooing is meaningful to me because it is timeless and sacred ritual. A powerful shared experience. However, the work that I do as an Art Educator and Intervention Specialist sticks out. I work as an art teacher for students in Kindergarten through High School graduation in a behavioral health and education program. I am able to use visual art as a way for the students to express themselves, find a voice and relax. Being in that program isn’t easy. Life is messy. And that is why I make sure the students know that art, like life, is messy and imperfect but it is rewarding and fun.

Jacob , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I love to make things. That simple truth is why I am a published children’s book author and illustrator, tattooer, self-taught painter, art educator, mixed media artist, wood worker, and so on. I offer a variety of goods and services, I believe that collecting art and making art should be available to everyone. Most of the work that I do is sold “Pay as you can” because I want people to feel free and empowered to own original art or get professional tattoos. I try my best to embody my philosophy around shared goods in a community and equality. For example, I had a person approach me about buying a painting and right before purchasing the work she said it would have to wait because money was tight. In the the flow of conversation she mentioned she was a nurse. In response, I let her know to come pick up the painting and that her payment was saving lives… as a nurse! I believe we have to return to seeing ourselves as a interdependent community. We have lost our way in capitalism, competition, and isolation. I hope my art and work can be a small step in that direction.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is a necessary ingredient in the creative life. As a self-taught artist, I have had to learn how to approach galleries and festival curators, I wasn’t trained on how to “sell” myself and my work. Recently I went to apply to a show specifically for self-taught artists. I thought this would be an amazing opportunity to share my work alongside other folk artists and outsider artists. What blew my mind was that individual artists could not apply. You have to represented by a gallery. That seems to be a very backward and concerning way to approach a show honoring self-taught artists and people who are creators outside of the “art world” and on the fringes of society. People do not need the approval of others to make art and no one has the final say of whether or not someones art has value.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and a creative is meditation. Art allows me to step away from the stress of life and the noise of our society. It is a time for me to contemplate on love, joy, and simply existing. It is where I do my best thinking and where I do my best to no think so much! Out of that comes a piece of art that I can offer to others.   

Contact Info:

• Website: jacobboehne.com
• Instagram: @jacobboehne
• Facebook: Jake Atticus Boehne