Expand your reality
Jacob Watts is a skilled digital artist and photographer specializing in image manipulation.
People are inherently interesting.
But typical stock photos succeed in taking all notable characteristics from a scene, that’s why artist Jacob Watts uses his own.
Specializing in image manipulation, Watts combines his photography with collage techniques to create three dimensional works in his latest project “Socially Distanced.” He writes,
“2020 changed many things for me as an artist. After extreme isolation during the height of the pandemic, the mere sight of groups of people fascinated me as well as gave me anxiety. I found myself photographing people from very far distances, and began collaging them together to make interesting designs. Using color and composition, these designs were a way to make people social distance again.”
Taking inspiration from Irving Parker, Massimo Vitali, and Where's Waldo, this series is a leap out of the two-dimensional world of photography.
Watts uses his photography as a creative outlet to process his experiences with anxiety and depression. In both “Some Time Alone” and “Counter Effort,” he explores how to physically represent his perspective in specific moments in time. He writes about “Some Time Alone,”
“In 2018 my wife’s health took a dramatic turn that left our lives on pause. Every day was a new struggle for us, and as she started getting better Covid-19 was right around the corner. The early days of the pandemic in Chicago oddly brought us comfort because our limbo was matched by many in our community. While my wife and I have struggled with when she will get better and return to normal, I’ve come to realize “normal” is changing for everyone.
I actively placed people in these rooms to reflect on and preserve the mundane moments many of us are experiencing during this strange time.“
The Chicago based artist attended Columbia College Chicago to earn a BFA in Photography in 2012 and he left his mark on the school, literally.
“Moose Bubblegum Bubble” is a large mural on the southern brick wall of the 33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive building and quickly became an iconic piece of street art. In 2021, it was reinstalled with Watts’ name included after maintenance was done on the building.
Watts has a unique point of view that is only expanded by his skills with a camera and photoshop. Make sure to check out his entire portfolio on his website here and follow him on Instagram and TikTok @jacobwattsphoto.