Today we’d like to introduce you to Fadi Jak.
Fadi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is Fadi Jak, I’m a painter and a biochemist currently residing San Diego, California. Art was always a big part of my life growing up in Baghdad, Iraq during the Gulf War in the early 90’s. I used art as a tool to cope with the horrors of war. With a pencil, paper and a lamp, I used to practice drawing animals, cartoon characters and religious figures while the bombs were over us.
When my family relocated to the US, art took a backseat while I finished my degree in Molecular Biology from San Diego State University, but I always knew I would return to it, and in 2006 I found the Art Academy of San Diego. There, I studied painting under the tutelage of professional local artists such as Stuart Burton and Reed Cardwell.
Today, I paint and sell my art at local art shows and online, and do commissioned portraits, while working full time as a chemist in a leading biotech company.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was never smooth for me, my family and I went through a lot. The uncertainty of survival during the war, the uncertainty of not being able to move here, and of course, the prospect of starting from nothing in a foreign land, and learning a new language, but I’m thankful for everything. As far as art, every piece presents its own set of problems, and the process of solving these problems is what makes art enjoyable.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
My business is selling my paintings and prints at art events and online. I specialize in portraits, especially pet portraits, but I’m versatile in many other subjects and techniques. For instance, between 2016 and 2018, I painted a series of La Jolla and Ocean Beach coastal paintings. At the time, I was experimenting with a new style that combined vibrant colors, coastal wildlife, and San Diego sunsets. The series was so successful and popular that I started selling postcards of these paintings to souvenir shops in La Jolla and Ocean Beach, that’s probably my proudest moment as an artist.
What were you like growing up?
Despite growing up during the war, I had a beautiful childhood, besides art, I was interested in soccer, basketball, music and science. I have always been known for my restraint, sense of privacy, decorum and discretion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fadijakart.com
- Phone: 619-504-7514
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @fadi_jak
- Facebook: @fadijakart
Image Credit:
Personal photo by Shanon Berlin
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
