Meet Jac Painter: Artist and Retail Real Estate Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jac Painter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jac, how do you think about risk?
I have a very well-developed opinion on risk. Without risk, we do not live. Without risk, we do not realize our full potential. In my corporate career, I took risks all the time. Jumping from one of the largest brands on the planet to a startup, for example. Or when I took that expat assignment in Amsterdam and moved overseas by myself for three plus years. In that time I traveled to four continents and twenty-two countries. I garnered life experiences and funny anecdotes that fill my soul. Even choosing to concentrate on my art was a risk, financially. If I hadn’t taken the time to focus on creating art, I would not have been ready for my first solo show. And what went down in that show, with friends and strangers showing their support in numbers and sales, catapulted my career and my confidence. For me, it’s all about taking risks.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art tells you the story of my environment. I work with resin and found objects. Boldly tinted resin acts as a background, if not a shiny cushion for items I’ve picked up around town. Bullets, beer cans, a creepy doll have all found their way into my art. But, most often I work with chips of graffiti I have collected off the ground of the Krog Street Tunnel in Atlanta. Decades of spray paint build up, crack and then chip off and fall to the ground. To me, they are treasured artifacts that tell Atlanta’s story. Transitioning from a full time corporate career in global retail real estate to full time artist wasn’t easy financially. But it was so natural and comfortable for me personally. I felt like I had finally, after almost 50yrs, found my calling. My husband’s support, not just for the idea of working as an artist, but also his support for my art itself gave me a solid ground and confidence that “maybe, just maybe, I can do this”. Although he puts the roof over our heads these days, my art has grown to be self-sustainable and we’re both quite proud of that. My brand was dubbed “Broken Art” by Atlanta=based Chef Carla Fears way back in 2018. When those words left her lips, it was like being given a purpose. I work with these broken and discarded objects. I reclaim their value and endeavor to preserve them and their story. They become integral to the overall art. But they remain important artifacts in our collective story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 We are going to sit in my kitchen or perhaps my back deck and we are going to drink some wine and nibble on some appetizers while we connect. It’s important to connect and ground ourselves. I want my friend to know home base. Day 2 Let’s go on a drive! We’ll tour some of the lovely neighborhoods along the Chattahoochee river, through Buckhead and Chastain. We’ll have dinner at Seven Lamps. Day 3 It’s back in the car. Driving around 285 I’ll approach Atlanta from the west side. We’ll hit Bankhead, and West End. We’ll go by my old loft on Mitchell Street. Selfies in front of the giant gator mural on Forsyth and candle shopping at Rondo’s. The world’s wealth disparity can easily be grasped here after our ride on Day 2. If I’m eating meat that day, We’ll definitely have lunch at Daddy Dz. Then we’ll hop on the beltline and enjoy the public art on display. Since we’re in the neighborhood we will definitely have seared scallops at Agave. Oh, and a few of Mary Lisa’s margeritas! Day 4 Wanna taste some wine and see some North Georgia landscapes? I’d pack a charcuterie board and head to Yonah Mountain vineyards for a wine tasting and nibbles while we enjoy the grounds. The winding roads, the change from the city to the country, so much fun. Day 5 Heading to Sandy Springs, I simply must show you my favorite Turkish restaurant in town. Mandolin Kitchen has really come into its own with an expanded patio (thanks, Covid) and furnishings shipped directly from Turkey. It’s an authentic, upscale, Turkish experience and the thought of it makes my mouth water. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Several years ago an acquaintance put out an APB on Facebook for an accountability partner. This person was juggling many balls and just needed a sounding board to connect with on a weekly basis. At first it was just brainstorming and troubleshooting things like motivation and project management. But, as I committed to my art career, she became my mentor in the art world and the art business. At first blush, she came across as measured. But as she has answered my millions of questions and shown up for me again and again, I’ve come to learn that she is bold and limitless. Denise Jackson of Town and Culture has become a dear friend and has given me invaluable support me.

Website: https://www.JacPainter.com

Instagram: @Jac.Painter

Facebook: /JacPainterArtist

Image Credits
Geoff Painter