Jake Kenobi

Painter & Mixed Media Artist

Spring Break Jake (aka Jake Kenobi, b. 1989) is a self-taught painter & mixed media artist born & raised in Minneapolis, MN, currently based in Bend, OR. Using the inevitability of death as motivation to explore the inner oceans of mental health, Jake creates darkly tropical work that focuses on vulnerability, illuminating the unseen parts of ourselves. From the adherence of found materials to the sculptural effect of thickened acrylic paint, his painting’s themes are reflected in his unique illustrative technique on top of textured layers of gestural abstraction; a physical representation of our often tumultuous minds. Through the repeated symbolism of death on holiday, Jake’s art ultimately recognizes that while no one gets out of this life alive, we can all find paradise along the way.

His work has been shown throughout the US West Coast in four solo exhibitions and the juried art fairs The Other Art Fair (LA x2), Superfine (Seattle & SF), & the Reno-Tahoe International Art Show. He was the first Artist-in-Residence with Scalehouse Arts in Bend and recently garnered featured print articles in Create! Magazine, Bend Magazine, Vanity Fair UK, & British GQ.