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ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jackson Walker was born in Panama City, FL in 1946.
He grew up in Stuart, FL and graduated from Martin County High School in 1965.
Later he served in the US Army completing two tours of combat in the Vietnam War.
He moved to Tampa and lived there for over 10 years where he was a graphic artist
and spent time performing as a solo guitarist, singer and songwriter.
Jackson Walker's work is know nationally for his accurate portrayals
of historical circumstances. Through the execution of finely detailed
oil paintings, he has become recognized as a reliable source of
historic vision. His portrayals have been featured on television productions
of The A&E Network and The History Channel and many publications and books,
as well as various private and institutional collections. The Florida
National Guard has commissioned nine major works depicting subjects from
their long history, and the National Guard Bureau in Washington DC has commissioned
heritage paintings for the states of Georgia and West Virginia. Jackson Walker
has also been awarded the Florida Commendation Medal and other awards for his work
in documenting the military history of Florida.
Walker's most ambitious project is an ongoing collection of paintings of
historic Florida subjects. The paintings are a touring exhibition entitled
LEGENDARY FLORIDA, which has been featured at many locations throughout the
state - including four separate exhibits and special events at the State
Capitol building and major exhibits at The Appleton Museum in Ocala, Florida,
and The Elliott Museum in Stuart, Florida. This collection is a moving time
travel into the expanse of his native home's history. These true historical
events are faithfully rendered in the vivid realm of Florida's lush nature
and dynamic vistas.
Walker's paintings have received the official recognition of two Florida
Secretaries of State and the endorsement of the Florida Historical Society.
FROM THE ARTIST ABOUT THE LEGENDARY FLORIDA SERIES
My blood runs through this place. For many generations, my clan has
survived this intemperate and sometimes deadly place. This evolution
of family, among them cattlemen, lawmen and the occasional soldier
when events of history required, along with their women companions
who were both brave in the face of the pioneer struggles and
bountiful providers in the comforts of the home, the trail that they
blazed leads directly to me. Their bones lie buired in the sand the
length and breadth of this land known as Florida - they rest in the
very earth that provided their every need in life and that will
forever embrace them in its history.
When I determined that I had finally evolved in my studies of
painting pictures to the point where I felt I had attained the ability
to create a convincing portrayal, I began the task that I believe every
artist must address - I sought a sense of purpose. I endeavored to find
the way that presented both a challenge to my skills and a true personal
satisfaction. After many tentative starts and faltering ends in this
quest, I had but to realize that I should heed the advice I had once
been given and which I have often related to others: That is quite
simply, "Paint what you know."
With this epiphany, my eyes were opened to the wonderous spectacle
that began at my own front door. I became profoundly aware of the
humanity that has populated this place and the remarkable circumstances
that they and their descendants had experienced. I sought the drama
and spectacle of the history that they created. Like an opened book
whose pages are set to flight in the wind, more and more tales of this
land and its people floated into my view and it was then that I knew I
had discovered that purpose for the labors of my craft.
I offer this labor of love to you, gentle reader, in hopes that you
may share my life-long fascination with this place of romance and drama.
For those who are born to this land as well as those who only pass this
way once, I hope this work will give evidence of who we are and from where
we have come.
Jackson Walker
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