Jake Zirbes

Painting allows me to slow down in our hyper speed society of memes, hashtags, social media, technology and the cult of culture, all of which I embrace and enjoy. It can get to a point of over indulgence and excess to the point of an unhealthy addiction. Through painting I am able to slow down and unplug from all the noise temporarily and reconnect with myself, so I don’t lose myself or my imagination in the monotony and stresses of everyday existence. Painting allows me to live in the present, which I feel is a rarity in modern society. It also helps me have patience, it keeps me level, it keeps me sane, happy, and youthful. Most importantly it guides me down a path of constant growth and curiosity.

Born in 1990, I was raised on McDonalds and 90’s cartoons and toys, which were goofy, dark, overstimulating and extremely colorful, all of which I was highly influenced by and shines through in my work. Each painting is a window into an alternate reality, a more cartoonish reality. Once the viewer enters into this new world they’re allowed to interpret it as they please. My work allows me to carry my childlike spirit into adulthood. I believe as a child we use our imagination to create whimsical scenarios when we play outside and with toys. As we grow we lose interest in that type of play and I believe our imaginations evolve. Instead of playing outside and with toys, I now play in the studio and on the canvas, channeling my imagination into the dream-like environments and characters you see in my paintings.