ABOUT THIS TEACHER

Born in Southern California, Janna grew up in a small suburban town. At 15, she began painting, drawing and examining art.

Shortly after, she began her art education in Phoenix, Arizona at Arizona State University, where she graduated summa cum laude in Art History. Jackson went on to work as an artist in Austin, Texas and then San Diego, California.

Jackson now lives and works as an artist and graphic designer in Chicago, Illinois. She continues to study and be influenced by artists like Van Gogh and René Magritte, movements like the Chicago Imagists and Neo-Pop, and her background in the graphic arts. Growing up in suburbia drew Jackson’s attention to the sharp contrast between the public and private lives of those around her. She began to examine this disparity and the ever-changing relationship between our experiences and the meaning we assign them. Recurring themes in her art include the perspective of children, human realities like mortality and emotion, and existentialism.

She is currently working on a series of portraits of public figures and anonymous protesters that juxtaposes public perception and the complex existence & emotions of these individuals.