ABOUT

Paul Jacob Bashour, born in 1975, is a distinguished American visual artist residing in Los Angeles. Widely recognized for his expansive abstract paintings characterized by large-scale dimensions, rich textures, and intricate multi-layering, Paul Jacob draws inspiration from the abstract expressionist movement. His artistic pursuits are centered on exploring the convergence of the abstract and representational realms, seeking to imbue hidden literal elements with enhanced expressive power through abstraction.

Possessing a background in sculpting and pottery, Paul Jacob infuses his paintings with sculptural elements, transforming them into dynamic, three-dimensional pieces that extend beyond the confines of the canvas. His keen interest in the interplay between two-dimensional and three-dimensional dimensions is evident throughout his body of work.

Paul Jacob's artistic journey has traversed various cities, including Paris, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Palm Springs, Newport, RI, and Big Sky, MT. Each locale serves as a wellspring of inspiration, influencing his creation of new works often utilizing materials indigenous to the specific environment. His exhibitions have resonated with collectors, designers, and art enthusiasts in both Europe and the United States, with his pieces finding a home in private collections domestically and abroad.

Initiating his artistic exploration in painting, drawing, and sculpture from a young age, Paul Jacob grew up in an environment steeped in artistry. His formative years in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, surrounded by the studios of iconic figures such as illustrator Norman Rockwell and sculptor Daniel Chester French, significantly shaped his artistic development. Apprenticing with local artists and studying art in the culturally vibrant Berkshires further honed his skills and passion.

During his twenties in New York, Paul Jacob immersed himself in a multifaceted artistic experience encompassing art, music, film, and photography. Influenced by the architectural landscape of the city, he transitioned towards increasingly abstract paintings. His concurrent involvement in the renovating business, working with materials like plaster, mortar, and paint, profoundly influenced his artistic technique and propelled him toward abstraction.

Distinctive in his approach, Paul Jacob constructs and stretches his own frames using wood and drop cloth from building supply stores. Eschewing traditional tools, he works horizontally on sawhorses within a canvas-walled booth, creating a cocoon-like environment conducive to layering acrylic paint, plaster, cement, metals, textiles, and other media. The resulting artworks, characterized by high-relief dimensions, reflect a meticulous process of layering, drying, and reapplication, showcasing the artist's hands-on and innovative methodology.