Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Valdez.
Jason, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in McAllen TX. My father is a certified diesel mechanic and my mother originally started going to college for a degree in music. This mix of industrial and creative influences has had a profound effect on my own artistic practice. Throughout my childhood, we went through our share of struggles, both financial and medical, and we moved around a lot. In the midst of all that I developed a love and aptitude for drawing and other creative endeavors. During high school, I was a member of the drumline and also active in the Art classes and student Art Club. As I approached the end of my senior year, I was looking at getting into tattooing as a career path that would allow me to use my artistic skills. After doing some research into that field I learned that it wasn’t for me, so I decided to pursue a full degree in art at the local University. Between August 2002 and December 2007, I worked towards my Bachelor of Fine Art in Studio Art. After graduation I started my career as an Art Educator, working at Mission High School in the RGV. In the Spring of 2014, I was accepted into the MFA program at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, which is where I spent the following three years earning my terminal degree in studio art. Once I graduated, I returned to teaching when I was offered a full-time position at Victoria College in Victoria TX. Since the Fall of 2017, I have been working as the primary instructor of 2D Foundations as well as the Gallery Director at VC.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As I mentioned, my family had its share of struggles. We were a lower-working class family in the Rio Grande Valley during the 90s. Back then my dad usually had to work 2 jobs just to help make ends meet. He would work for the city as a Welder/Mechanic during the day, then teach driver’s ed at night and on the weekends. My mother also worked for the city but had a bout with cancer during my freshman year of high school. That time was very challenging for us, but I’m happy and grateful to say that my mother was able to get through it and is still with us. During my undergraduate years, I had to work an outside job while going to school in order to help with bills and expenses. I would usually wake early in the morning to catch my 9:00 am class, be at school until noon, then rush across town to my job at the local mall to do the 1:00 pm-10:00 pm closing shift. I did that for roughly five and half years until finishing my degree in the Fall of 2007.
Going back to grad school was more of the same. I usually had some kind of side job along with going to school full-time; it wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. My final semester at TAMU-CC I was teaching a class as a graduate instructor, working part-time at the Art Museum of South Texas, and working weekends at the local Sears…ALL while still taking care of my personal class work and thesis!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is very influenced by my working roots. As I mentioned earlier, my father is a diesel mechanic by trade, so I grew up always seeing him in some kind of work uniform, usually covered with dirt or grease. I remember he would always find some kind of improvised fix for our cars because we didn’t have the money to just drop them off at a local shop for repairs. Most of the members of my family have that kind of “make it work” mentality, so I wanted to use that as my inspiration. A lot of my imagery is industrial in nature (old machines, dirty hands, engines, etc.) and I use that imagery as a symbol of that blue-collar mindset. Currently, I’m working on a series of pieces based on the idea of the “Chicanaso” or improvised fix. The ability to see a problem and find a solution using only what’s on hand is very similar to what I’ve seen in the art studio; critical thinking. This similarity formed the basis of my MFA Thesis.
I view artmaking as another vocation, no different from being an electrician or a welder. Artists have to work with their hands, they have a set of skills that are taught and practiced, many of the artistic disciplines require the skills to operate power tools and heavy equipment safely, and so on. I use my trade to talk about the other trades and how they’re all similar.
What makes you happy?
I like simples things; good weather, the smell of a brisket smoking over post oak, spending time with friends and family, and working on old hot rods. Above all, I truly enjoy the feeling I get when I create something with my hands; whether it’s a painting, drawing, or the old straight-six engine I rebuilt last year. In the words of William Morris, “Art is the pleasure in the labor of production”.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvaldez_art/?hl=en
