Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Aaron.
Hi Jackie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was obsessed with sign language as a kid and started learning sign language in a community class that was offered at Butler middle school once a week. The fascination continued so it was only natural when I went to college I entered the Interpreting program, and now I am a freelance ASL Interpreter. I interpret anything from doctor appointments, births, softball, practice, plays, college classes, workplace meetings, political related events, festivals in the city, concerts, political rallies, shows and excursions on cruise ships and the list goes on. Anywhere that Deaf people need access to communication.
During Covid when work slowed down tremendously during the lockdown, I started creating and selling art. I have always been interested in art, my whole family has. My little brother does it professionally full-time and my grandfather was a BYU art professor so it wasn’t a huge jump. I have been learning how to paint from trial and error, YouTube and taking community workshops. I have an upcoming show that I am excited but very nervous to be in, Art at the park, happening in September to his year.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest hurdles has been juggling family life/relationships. I got pregnant while I was single at the age of 20 and almost dropped out of college. Going on to get married and having three sons soon after my daughter has been the best part of my life, but the hardest to juggle and fit everything in. As far as making art, I think my biggest obstacle is myself. The fear of not being good enough. The comparison to other artists who have honed their skills and had much more time in the field and just getting out of my way to let the creativity, fun and playful side take the lead in my creative process so that the joy that I find in creating the art comes through in the pieces that I create
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am both an artist and an Asl Interpreter. The work of Interpreting has no set schedule. Some days I am booked and busy all day Interpreting while other days I have time in between appointments that I can come home and paint. I am proud that I am able to make fun, colorful art to enhance peoples homes or the spaces that they occupy. With Interpreting I am proud to be able to facilitate in making access possible both to the Hearing world and to the Deaf world.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
For both the art world and the Interpreting world I’m hoping that while both of those are being influenced by AI, I remain optimistic that the human part of the craft of both painting and Interpreting can still be predominantly done by human hands, and that AI is just used as a tool, not a replacement
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Jackieaaronart
