Josh Jameson has been attending SCAD Atlanta for nearly as long as it has been open — he started back in 2005, when the Atlanta College of Art (ACA) was still here. He is easily recognizable to faculty members and is on a first-name basis with many of them. More than that, Jameson is an tremendously talented illustrator. This summer he is graduating with a B.F.A. in illustration, a painting minor, a full portfolio and a valuable network of connections.
Jameson grew up in a rural town in Gwinnett County, scribbling and doodling on scratch paper from a young age. With the support of his mother and various school instructors, Jameson developed a passion for the visual arts. “My teachers in high school really drove me as an artist,” said Jameson. “They were pretty cool people. At the time, I wanted to teach art to high school kids, too.”
With backing from his teachers and family, Jameson began seeking an art education degree at Berry College, but he did not stay long. “I realized that there was just too much schooling if I wanted to teach and being out in the country sucked,” said Jameson. This decision lead him back to his first choice school, SCAD.
Fresh-faced and wide-eyed, Jameson entered ACA as a full-time illustration student. He quickly fell in love with the environment and his professors. “The illustration department is full of really incredible professors that have helped and encouraged me, my entire time here,” Jameson said. He said that one of his most influential professors was Rick Lovell, who allowed him to bring his 2D illustrations to life in a 3D format, similar to sculpture. However, the final product is a photograph of the sculpture.
Jameson has been working with photo illustrations for a while and finds that it combines his love of visual and performing arts to make something special. “I’m a reformed theater kid,” said Jameson. “There’s something theatrical that I bring to creating my photo illustrations and otherwise.” Jameson does not limit his creative medium and is comfortable working in many different modes. He describes his illustrations as whimsical with swirly lines and curious-looking creatures he dreamed up. “One of my biggest inspirations is Tim Burton, which you can tell by some of the darker imagery and swirls in my compositions,” said Jameson. “I’m also terribly inspired by Captain James Tiberius Kirk.”
Jameson said that his time at SCAD has been a struggle, but also a rewarding ride. “I’ve learned a lot from my professors, but it has been a stressful and expensive experience,” said Jameson. After graduation, the illustration graduate will be working on the Scales of the Cosmos art event for 2012 and writing and illustrating his children’s book series, “Lost in Tinkerton,” which was inspired while he was “tinkering” around with a 3D illustration. It is not at the publishing stage, but looks forward to making that a possibility. “It’s going to be the second Harry Potter. I’m totally kidding,” said Jameson.
Though he is glad to be done with school, he is worried he will spend more time paying back student loans than creating. As far as post-collegiate plans, “I’m going to work on my own projects as much as I can, but at this rate I’ll be too busy trying to pay for my education, that I won’t be able to use my education,” said Jameson. Aside from the tools he has acquired from SCAD, Jameson’s passion and raw talent are evident in his art work. His first few years might be a struggle, but the future looks bright for this exceptional illustrator.