Jackie Williams

Illustration
Graphic Design
Podcast
Poetry & Short Fiction
Video
Collages

Illustrator, Graphic Designer, & Writer
Houston, Texas
home@attawellsummer.com
832/617/0122

Artist Statement
My artwork and process combines my art, graphic design, and creative writing background.

Art is visual storytelling. I often start with a narrative, then use graphic design methodologies and principles to visually simplify my idea, and finally use art mediums and drawing techniques to create the finished look. I’m inspired by nature, hand drawn illustrations, and vintage printmaking. My favorite mediums are colored pencils, graphite, ink, and cut paper. Ideas are also drawn from my family history and cultural history (especially from the area where I grew up). I use art and design to simplify my favorite things, people, places, and stories. Colorful wildflowers, bold patterns, portraits of people, and culturally significant objects and places often appear in my artwork.

The hand drawn technique combined with colorful and familiar mediums are meant to resonate with viewers to ultimately convey a sense of nostalgia, longing, and wonder about the people and places that are illustrated. The memories can evoke a call to action to explore their own memories and personal narratives that connect them to similar people, places, and objects in their own lives.

Education

2012: Bachelor of Art & Minor in Art History (20th Century Design), University of Houston, Houston, TX

Professional Experience

2012 – 2024: Senior Graphic Designer, National Diversity Council, Houston, TX
2011 – Present: Freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer, Attawell Summer Creative, Houston, TX
2022: Freelance Illustrator, National Novel Writing Month, Remote

Exhibitions

2012: MFAH 16th Annual Citywide African American Artists Exhibition, "Thomas & Janie”, The Community Artists’ Collective, Houston, TX

Service Activities

2022: Portfolio Reviewer, AIGA-Houston

2021: Grant Panelist, Houston Arts Alliance