Organization

Artist’s Obama piece displayed in Washington

Jason Caldwell is a graduate of the City’s Incubator, which was managed by The Enterprise Group of Jackson and the Small Business & Technology Development Center. Jason is also a tenant at the Armory Arts Village

Friday, January 23, 2009
By Chris Gautzcgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

Jason Caldwell is hoping that a painting he created at the Armory Arts Village will someday hang in the White House.

The Jackson artist was recently commissioned by a recording artist to do a painting of Barack Obama, his family and those who inspired the new president.

``I felt honored to be hired to do it, to be a small part of history,’’ he said.

Sending his airbrushed painting to Washington for the inauguration, he said, was his way to be able to participate in the historic event.

``I wanted to contribute however I could,’’ he said. ``If it gets to Barack that would be great.’’

Caldwell said the recording artist, whom he declined to identify, was in the process of setting up the ability to present the painting to Obama.

Caldwell, 31, was told the painting was set up near the red carpet leading into Convention Hall for a concert that took place this past weekend.

``He got a lot of good feedback from other celebrities,’’ Caldwell said.

He has previously done paintings for other celebrities from television, sports and music, and is hopeful having such a large audience for the Obama painting may lead to other work.

His company, Jason Caldwell Studios Art & Design, does custom paintings, T-shirts, murals and graphic design.

The painting was done on canvas and stands 6 feet by 8 feet.

It contains images of Obama, his immediate family, his parents, grandparents and historical figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Caldwell said he spent about three weeks researching whom to include and how they should look.

Once he started painting, it took him about a week to complete.

The Jackson High School graduate said he has been painting professionally for 13 years.

``I’ve been drawing all my life,’’ he said.

A series of his paintings will be on display from Feb. 6 through March 2 at the Potter Center at Jackson Community College for Black History Month.

For more information, visit www.jasoncaldwellstudios.com.