Conversation Pieces
Based On Boléro By Ravel, Acrylic On Paper 18” X 24”
By Karen Renee
Jarret Holbrooks
HOLBROOK, HOPPER, & HOPE
olumbus is like a mosaic, each fragment an individual C story. Stories reflected by artists and creatives, all inspiring and building off of one another to create a rich and
beautiful culture. Of the many talented people who take pride in being part of the art community, Jarret Holbrook has an interesting point of view, taking what most would overlook and preserving it as part of our cultural history. Jarret’s passion for preserving the history of our city is beautifully reflected in his artwork. With a captivating eye for detail, he captures the essence and intricacies of our neighborhoods, creating tension between the mundane and mesmerizing. Each piece evokes nostalgia and tells a story. Through his art, Jarret invites us to appreciate the hidden beauty of our town, reminding us of the significance in our collective identity. His ability to effortlessly blend realism with compelling storytelling creates a powerful emotional connection between the viewer and the artwork.
Inside Joke, Art By Jarrett Holbrook
Jarret With Governor Brian Kemp Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, Jarret’s art is bound to ignite a newfound appreciation for the life that surrounds us, an appreciation worthy of honor. For two years Jarrett Holbrook’s paintings “Corner of 12th and Talbotton” and “St. James AME Church” hung in the Governor’s Mansion and the State Capital, a glory earned from winning the Art of Georgia Competition hosted by the Georgia Council for the Arts.The paintings have only recently made their way back home to Columbus, and one of them has already been sold to a private collector. Looking at his work, one might think Holbrook has dedicated a lifetime to studying and perfecting his painting. However, his phenomenal usage of light, and his ability to transpose beauty onto decaying subjects, are, by and large, self-taught. Jarrett is a classical musician, yet his creations flow from him like the music he plays. “I’ve always loved art and creating in general from a really young age,” he says. “I started playing
LocaL
piano around the third grade. I’ve always sort of stuck with both, though I didn’t start taking my art seriously until I was a couple years into my undergrad at CSU. I was really stressed out my entire time in college and getting back into painting helped me so much.” Art became an emotional outlet for the young musician. He loves painting outdoors – it keeps him in the moment, an experimental exercise for being “in the now.” Landscapes and architecture are his favorite subjects, but like the famously abstract expressionist painter Kandinsky, sometimes he lets the music take control of his imagination, giving his mind free reign to fling its own colors and gestures onto the canvas. Like the painter Edward Hopper (perhaps most famous for Nighthawks, his iconic impression of a late-night diner),
Jarrett brings a certain brilliance to the unexpected, the mundane, and the ordinary, transforming these day-to-day scenes into striking, hyper-realistic renderings of small town life. The buildings, structures and homes are painted in a way that romanticizes the unromantic. “I’ve always loved history, I’ve always been drawn to antiques and old homes,” he says. “Painting them just seems like a way to honor a structure that has stood through who-knows-what over the years.They won’t last forever. I think when something catches my eye, I need to capture it.” However, it’s not just artists who have etched themselves in history that serve as Holbrook’s inspiration. Take for instance Jarret’s work “Hope.” It’s a nod to an artist whose imprint will forever be on the City. One look at the lettering, and any native will automatically recognize the hand of Ralph Frank, or “Ralphabetz” to you and me. When asked why he chose to recreate the sign man’s mural as a painting, Jarrett explains. “Ralph has literally left his mark all around Columbus, and I have always found his work really joyful and one of my 10 X 10 Acrylic On Canvas
Buck Ice And Coal, Acrylic On Wood 18
DECEMBER 2023
