My art is a reflection of internal struggles and an observation of epic, transcendent concepts. The goal is to press my creativity forward so that my expressions create a connection with viewers on both the formal and conceptual levels. My primary medium is ink; I use all sorts of applicators, from pens and metal nibs, to quills and brushes. The inherent dynamic of the line is at the heart of my aesthetic, achieving infinite simultaneous realities within each piece. I intend my art to create an intellectual and visceral communication through a dynamic visual program. It is my intention, my motivation, is to achieve this level of connected experience with my expressions of ink on paper. I work in a permanent medium and I work as close to an open flow of consciousness as possible. Rarely do I do any preliminary sketches or treatments to work up the image.
When working with ink, there are no mistakes or failures that can prevent the artist from pressing on. One must improvise, adapt and overcome; improve upon a mistake that could potentially destroy the flow of the piece, into a working constituent element. One cannot go back in time, just as I cannot erase my ink. However, when something goes wrong in either my artistic arena, or the arena of my reality, I choose to learn from it, improve upon it and move forward. I endeavor to make it work and to sustain the visual communication. This is what I strive for as a creator. My intention is to keep crying out in this novel visual language that I’ve created. It is my purpose because I choose it to be. To create relentlessly.
-JMF
Jamieson Michael Flynn was born in 1978 into an Irish Catholic family on the South side of Chicago. In 1987 his family relocated to South Florida, where Jamieson and his two younger sisters lived for 19 years. His father was a prosecutor for the state attorney’s office for many years and his mother was director of a breast cancer institute. It’s a humble family that instilled many values, beliefs, and a sense of morality in him under a religious framework.
Jamieson attended Florida State University where he studied Fine Arts with a concentration in drawing. Later transferring to Florida Atlantic University, he took some additional drawing courses but ultimately would earn a degree in Art History, studying under Dr. David Courtney. The history of art offered Jamieson many new concepts and aesthetics before unknown to him. Mainly, the influential periods for Jamieson are the Medieval, and the High Renaissance. Surrealism and the modern eras have their place under his influences as well but in many ways, primarily from a conceptual standpoint. As can be seen in the depth of detail in his imagery and the intensity with which he produces it.
Working primarily with ink, Jamieson strives to control a permeate medium. There is no erasing, no going back, only forward. Usually beginning with little or no preliminary sketching on the piece itself, the work essentially takes on a life of its own, growing and evolving from a controlled form of chaos, into an intense dynamic scene. Often, Jamieson works within religious and mythological themes, narratives, and allegories. Recently, he started a project involving customized family coat of arms drawings. This new venture has been very well received and allows Jamieson to explore an aesthetic that merges historical research and imagery with current styles and depictions. Each one unique to the person commissioning it.
Visually and artistically, the primary influences for Jamieson include Michelangelo merisi de Caravaggio, Albrecht Durer, Salvador Dali, H.R. Giger, M.C. Esher, Ralph Steadman and Jackson Pollack. Also Celtic, Native American, and other ancient aesthetics have a growing influence in his more recent works. Blending classical themes with an illustrative, and warped visual layout is a resounding concept of Jamieson’s work. It is the combination of two entirely different stylistic programs into one aesthetic compound.
While in college, Jamieson was also introduced to new literature and philosophies. Authors such as Jack Kerouac, John Dewey, Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche among others greatly interested him. Both their experiences and philosophies assisted him in his study of life, and of art. Developing his own ontological system, he has etched out some peace, art, and humanity for himself whilst surrounded by a world of chaos. All these concepts have helped direct and illustrate Jamieson’s sought after aesthetic and have shaped him as an autonomous person living for, and living through his Art.