John (Jack) Oakes

My name is John Oakes. I prefer to go by Jack. I am a senior at Downers Grove North High School in Downers Grove, Illinois. My artistic career began when I started 'Computer Art 1' freshman year of high school in 2018. I was automatically drawn to surrealism and creating image collages. I felt inspired by artists such as Max Ernst & Maren Esdar. I like to use 15th-18th century engravings provided by different sourcebooks to create surreal environments with a lot to take in. I try to use a lot of color and intense transformations. I continued to develop my artwork with my teacher, Mr. Voelker, since freshman year to senior year. Currently, I am enrolled in my fifth semester of computer art with Mr. Voelker, and will have completed six semesters by the time I graduate. This year, I have also enrolled in digital photography class with my teacher, Mr. Hoering. By the time I graduated, I will have completed two semesters with Mr. Hoering. Both of my teachers have opened the floor to many opportunities and inspiration for me, and I am forever grateful. I am currently involved in National Art Honors Society at Downers Grove North High school where we apply art to help not only our community, but other parts of the world. I am preparing for college this coming fall and will hopefully be enrolled in a program that involves graphic design.

I also own the brand, JAM Clothing. I sell vintage clothes as well as create designs, print, and sell custom JAM products. All of this experience has opened the floor for me to become a hard, self-taught, worker who gets things done. It feels good to have created many things on my own at such a young age. I hope to cultivate other people, and create a more artistic world where expression is represented through everyone. Creative potential lies within everyone, it's human nature.