Conversation Pieces – Jarrett Holbrook -Holbrook, Hopper, and Hope

Columbus is like a mosaic, each fragment an individual story. Stories reflected by artists and creatives, all inspiring and building off of one another to create a rich and beautiful culture. Of the many talented people who take pride in being part of the art community, Jarrett Holbrook has an interesting point of view, taking what most would overlook and preserving it as part of our cultural history.

Jarrett’s passion for preserving the history of our city is beautifully reflected in his artwork. With a captivating eye for detail, he captures the essence and intricacies of our neighborhoods, creating tension between the mundane and mesmerizing. Each piece evokes nostalgia and tells a story. Through his art, Jarrett invites us to appreciate the hidden beauty of our town, reminding us of the significance in our collective identity. His ability to effortlessly blend realism with compelling storytelling creates a powerful emotional connection between the viewer and the artwork.

Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, Jarrett’s art is bound to ignite a newfound appreciation for the life that surrounds us, an appreciation worthy of honor.

For two years Jarrett Holbrook’s paintings “Corner of 12th and Talbotton” and “St. James AME Church” hung in the Governor’s Mansion and the State Capital, a glory earned from winning the Art of Georgia Competition hosted by the Georgia Council for the Arts. The paintings have only recently made their way back home to Columbus, and one of them has already been sold to a private collector.

Looking at his work, one might think Holbrook has dedicated a lifetime to studying and perfecting his painting. However, his phenomenal usage of light, and his ability to transpose beauty onto decaying subjects, are, by and large, self-taught.

Jarrett is a classical musician, yet his creations flow from him like the music he plays. “I’ve always loved art and creating in general from a really young age,” he says. “I started playing piano around the third grade. I’ve always sort of stuck with both, though I didn’t start taking my art seriously until I was a couple years into my undergrad at CSU. I was really stressed out my entire time in college and getting back into painting helped me so much.”

Art became an emotional outlet for the young musician. He loves painting outdoors – it keeps him in the moment, an experimental exercise for being “in the now.” Landscapes and architecture are his favorite subjects, but like the famously abstract expressionist painter Kandinsky, sometimes he lets the music take control of his imagination, giving his mind free reign to fling its own colors and gestures onto the canvas.
Like the painter Edward Hopper (perhaps most famous for Nighthawks, his iconic impression of a late-night diner), Jarrett brings a certain brilliance to the unexpected, the mundane, and the ordinary, transforming these day-to-day scenes into striking, hyper-realistic renderings of small town life. The buildings, structures and homes are painted in a way that romanticizes the unromantic. “I’ve always loved history, I’ve always been drawn to antiques and old homes,” he says. “Painting them just seems like a way to honor a structure that has stood through who-knows-what over the years. They won’t last forever. I think when something catches my eye, I need to capture it.”

However, it’s not just artists who have etched themselves in history that serve as Holbrook’s inspiration. Take for instance Jarrett’s work “Hope.” It’s a nod to an artist whose imprint will forever be on the City. One look at the lettering, and any native will automatically recognize the hand of Ralph Frank, or “Ralphabetz” to you and me. When asked why he chose to recreate the sign man’s mural as a painting, Jarrett explains.

“Ralph has literally left his mark all around Columbus, and I have always found his work really joyful and one of my favorite parts of living in this area. I think his work is more than worthy of being uplifted,” he says.

It truly seems the Blairsville native has found his home here in the valley with artists like Ralph and countless others. “I have been really supported here in the art community even though I didn’t really go to school for this and haven’t had formal training, and that support has meant a whole lot to me and given me the drive to keep making art and pushing myself,” he says. “The community here is full of so much talent and so many kind, supportive individuals that make Columbus special.”
That support is what inspires Jarrett to create, and he encourages others to create too, “My biggest piece of advice would be to experiment and don’t be afraid to mess up, because most of the time if you just keep going it will turn into something great, or at least get you thinking about a new way of doing things. Also, no one is stopping you from creating whatever you want to, and you don’t have to show anyone if you don’t want to, so do it for yourself!”

Of course, Jarrett doesn’t necessarily create just for himself. He stays quite busy with commissions, whether it’s a painting of someone’s beloved pet or a portrait of an individual, he enjoys creating for others. He feels that commissions push him into being a better artist. They’re also fun. Recently he brought all the warmth of winter cheer to life.. A quaint ranch home, adorned with Christmas wreaths on the windows, is lit by the light of swirling Christmas trees on a snow-dusted lawn. “This painting was super fun and challenging because it was at night, snowing, and had the Christmas lights, but I would have to say my favorite part was adding those last brightest lights to finish it out,” he says.

Jarrett’s work isn’t just for the Governor’s Mansion. It’s part of Columbus, made up of the places which make it our home, inspired by a community of creatives who have loved and inspired him.
If you would like to see more of Jarrett Holbrook’s work, it can be found on Facebook and Instagram @Jarrettholbrookart or on his website at www.Jarrettholbrookart.com.

By Karen Renee