Artist Lori Ann Jacobs

Resolute in being the best

By Venessa Deosaran

Artist, designer, teacher and photographer, Lori Ann Jacobs has proven to be a determined and versatile woman in fulfilling her goals and pursuing what she is most passionate about: art.
Jacobs graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education in 2001 after studying for three years to become a trained teacher.
That same year she began teaching at Annandale Secondary School. In 2008, after studying for an additional four years, Jacobs graduated from the University of Guyana with a bachelors degree in Fine Art.
Jacobs, who is also a member of the Guyana United Artists Group, was invited to become a member of the Guyana Women Artists Association in 2007. She is currently the head of department of Allied Arts at Annandale Secondary.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, Jacobs said her high school art teacher, Miss King, sparked the fire for her interest and passion in art.
She noted that her teacher made her feel she was good in the arts, and that motivated her. Also, in terms of her artistic persona, she received much motivation from artists such as Philbert Gajadhar, Ohene Koama, Akima McPherson and Bernadette Persaud, among many others.

“As a child I was always drawing. At UG, and I must give credit to Akima, I developed a style where I paint with a palette knife. My lecturer, Gajadhar, told me I’m a too careful artist and that I was afraid to be spontaneous.
“One day when I was eating, I had a normal eating knife in my hands and some paint in front of me. It just came over me and I dipped the knife in the paint and simply started layering colours with it. All my friends were amazed as to how the sketch came out just using that knife. From then on I started using just palette knives, no brushes. I just allowed myself to flow; I didn’t think whether it was wrong or right. Also, my lecturers were very impressed with my use of the knife and the creations I painted. So there was no turning back for me from then on,” she reminisced.
Jacobs’ paintings are mostly focused on the family. A very emotional person, one can see her art exuding those emotions and moods. In her art, most attention is placed on human figures.
She has a strong passion for humanity, which is often expressed with a strong sense of emotions, using the palette knife with acrylics on canvas. The artist likes to show women in their natural beauty and the emotions felt when all the make-up comes off.
“When I’m at an exhibition I observe that persons looking at my art are saying, ‘I can see myself in that’. I feel good when persons can connect with my work. I often want to paint the joy of children, their purity and honesty. If I’m too happy I don’t work; when I’m angry or upset then I work because that is when my work is excellent,” the artist confessed.
At UG, Jacobs also studied the art of textile. This prompted her to try her hand at designing. She has launched her designs at various fashion shows including a Guyana Fashion Weekend event. This motivated her in her art, and also motivated her students who were doing textile.

This led to her venture into photography. With a mere point-and-shoot camera, she was snapping whatever fascinated her. As an art student, she had to study photography, and this lent to her overall artistic personality.
Many praised her for her snapshots, although having a few lighting glitches. This pushed her to invest in a professional camera, which she uses to take professional shots on commission.
Through her determination to be excellent as an artist, Jacobs has helped many of her students appreciate that once they are resolute in being successful then they will be. “When teachers are an active part of society, students value the work more. A lot of persons can’t see how art can contribute to their development but when they saw how I was given exposure with my art they became much more serious with it,” she said.
Jacobs stated that her career in art has helped her to express her emotions as a woman. “Too much has society asked of women as to what is the ideal look or being ideal. Through my art I bring out these emotions. I’m happy our art isn’t restricted. In many countries, art is restricted to certain topics and themes. Here it isn’t, and I’m very thankful for that. I love to put my work in the public. I love the feedback. I get my energy by socializing with creative people and this motivates me. It’s never about money for me. I love it and I’m passionate about my art. Seeing the appreciation and love for my work by others is self fulfilling,” she said appreciatively.

“I would love to see painting/ drawing workshops and competitions. The workshops/ competitions can take seasons or various sessions each followed by a display of works which will be judged. At the end of every workshop session and display, an artist could be eliminated until one artist is left standing. Competing artists could be tutored by professional artists on various themes, each for a two-week period. Cameramen can monitor the process and the works can be judged at the end where artists will gradually be eliminated until one artist is left standing as is done in other competitions. This I think will help our art industry and motivate younger artists to be their best,” Jacobs suggested.
Juggling a home, family, art and a teaching career, 32-year-old Jacobs said she never gets tired because she loves what she does. She encourages her students and her 11-year-old son to be strong and unwavering in pursuing their dreams as she is doing the same.
She is currently pursuing a post graduate degree in Education Administration. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)