Today we’d like to introduce you to Abel Jackson.
Hi Abel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started when I was a child with crayons and coloring books. In high school, I had an incredible art teacher who recognized my talent and encouraged me to create. He helped me realize that I was an artist, even before I believed it myself. Through his classes I was introduced to the world of art
After that, I went on to study at Winthrop University, where I earned my BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration. I spent a couple of years in the corporate world, but it didn’t take long to realize that my true calling was as an artist. I stepped out on faith and became a full-time artist. Not long after, I discovered airbrushing. I started working out of a shop in Eastland Mall, where I learned to paint anything on anything. That hands-on experience taught me both skill and hustle. I went from student to teacher, from employee to partner, and eventually opened my own studio.
Over time, my focus evolved from airbrushing to mural painting. Around 2017, I started creating large-scale murals across Charlotte: vibrant, symbolic works that tell community stories and celebrate cultural identity. These projects helped me realize how art can transform not just spaces, but people’s sense of belonging.
Now, my work is as much about connection as creation. I’m still painting, but I’m also teaching, mentoring, and sharing what I’ve learned.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an artist has definitely not been a smooth road, it’s been more like a rollercoaster ride, full of ups, downs, twists, and lessons I didn’t see coming. I’ve had seasons where things flowed beautifully, and others where I was just trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Some of my biggest challenges have been learning to price my work, stand on my value, and overcome the fear of being seen. I’ve had to face social fears, rejection from grants and opportunities, and the struggle to find balance. When you love what you do, it’s easy to overwork yourself.
I’ve also learned that being a passionate artist isn’t enough; you have to wear a lot of hats. I’ve had to grow my communication skills and learn to really listen to clients and collaborators so I could bring their visions to life. Even now I’m still sharpening the business side, like marketing and organization.
Through it all, the biggest lesson has been that success starts from within. Every doubt, every failure, every rejection has pushed me to grow—not just as an artist, but as a person. My love for art has always pulled me through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a visual artist who loves to bring stories to life through paint. I work in a variety of media like acrylic, aerosol, and graphite: but my claim to fame has always been airbrushing. The airbrush opened the door for me to make a living doing what I love. It gave me the freedom to paint anything on anything, from t-shirts and helmets to walls and canvases—and to create something meaningful for others.
From 2002 to 2017, I ran with that motto “paint anything on anything” and built a reputation as a skilled airbrush artist, blending my background in graphic design with hands-on creativity. Around 2017, I felt called to go bigger, literally, and shifted my focus to mural painting. Since then, I’ve painted over 45 murals, many rooted in community stories, unity, and spiritual awareness.
What I’m most proud of is not just the art itself, but the impact it leaves behind and the way people connect to it, take photos with it, or simply pause to feel something real. That’s what sets my work apart: I create with purpose, aiming to uplift, spark thought, and leave a lasting mark on both the wall and the people that see it
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
One of the biggest risks I ever took was deciding to live my life as a full-time artist. When I made that choice, I went all in — mind, body, and spirit — with no safety net and no real roadmap. Most of my loved ones were understandably concerned. I didn’t have all the answers, but I had faith in my purpose and a tremendous love for art. Choosing this path forced me to grow, not just as an artist, but as a person. I learned how to navigate uncertainty, how to trust myself, and how to keep creating even when the outcome wasn’t clear. Looking back, that leap of faith was worth every challenge. It taught me that sometimes the biggest risk is also the most rewarding one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abelartworks.com
- Instagram: @artbyabel
- Facebook: Artbyabel
