Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Allen
Jacob, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started making art when I was a teenager taking portraits of my friends having fun. I got my first DSLR camera when I was 16 and used it every chance I got. It’s still the camera I use the most to this day. We would put on the best outfits we could think of, go out into nature, and try to take the most creative shots possible of each other. Then I went to my first concert and was not only introduced to the world of concert photography, but the world of music in general. I bought a MIDI keyboard, downloaded Ableton, and taught myself to play piano, produce music, write lyrics, and sing through watching YouTube videos. As I got older I went to college for graphic design and learned valuable skills that I was able to apply to my career as a visual artist and musician. I founded an art brand called ‘City of Infinite Happiness’ where I take architecture and nature photos and turn them into digital paintings and pixel art images. I use my art in photo books, posters, postcards, and stickers which I sell online and at local markets in my city. I started performing my music live under the name ‘Jane Museum’ at house shows, local venues, and anywhere that people want to hear me play. My goal is to reach the peak of self expression through bringing together everything beautiful about life on Earth into pristinely packaged art. I never want to lose the spark I found as a teenager to create art, it’s truly my purpose in life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The process has been challenging in many ways. As an artist it’s always hard at the start, when your taste is developed further than your skills. It can be easy to think of ideas, but to actually execute them is what separates creators from the audience. I have struggled with self doubt at various points in my career, comparing myself to artists I look up to, wondering if my art is worth paying attention to, if I should just give up. But I always realize that my voice matters. I have a unique perspective on life, and nobody can make my art but me. I want to inspire others just like the artists I looked up to as a teenager, who inspired me to create and find my identity and my purpose. Thankfully when I am experiencing self doubt I not only have myself, I also have my friends and family who encourage and support me to continue on my path. It also helps give me motivation to keep going when established organizations recognize the importance of the work that I’m doing, like VSCO who have published my photos on five separate occasions, or the Greater Columbus Arts Council who I am grateful to have received an artist grant from last year.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an artist who works in many different mediums. As a photographer, I take portraits, concert photos, and architecture and nature photos. I’m also a musician who makes electronic, pop, and hyperpop music. I write, produce, mix, master, and perform all my music myself as well as create all my own cover arts with occasional help from close friends and creative collaborators. My other art mediums include graphic design, animation, illustration, videography, and journalism. I’m known for my art brand ‘City of Infinite Happiness’ and my music project ‘Jane Museum’. I’m most proud of my music including my EP ‘GOOD GRIEF’ and my album ‘Summer Can Be Eternal’, and the photo books that I create like ‘A Tribute To My Teenage Years’ and ‘City of Infinite Happiness: Volume 1’. What sets me apart from other artists is that I create in so many different forms, it’s almost impossible to predict what I will make next.
How do you define success?
Success to me is never giving up, thinking of a creative idea and not stopping until it’s in the world for everyone to appreciate forever. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing or hearing something tangible, something real, that was once just in my brain, knowing that it came from nothing, a blank canvas, a moment of silence, and it would not exist without my unrelenting desire to express myself and be known by others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jacoballen.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacoballen.art
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jacoballenart
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/janemuseum
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jacoballen.art
Image Credits
Dots (@mushyrocks), Will Jackson (@walljeckson), Ky Smiley (@shotbykys)
