Texas Voices: Jacob Smith

His artwork is stunning and at only 19 years old, Jacob Smith is just scratching the surface of what's to come.

If the eyes are the window to the soul, these peer into the world of Jacob Smith.  A bold, bright and sometimes bizarre place.

"I like the juxtaposition of dark and creepy themes mixed with pop color and pop culture," he said.

The Sam Houston State graphic design major grew up in Teague, Texas.  Small town life gave him roots so his imagination could grow.

"He got the chance to be himself and grow from the ground up," said Father Cedric Smith.

His parents Cedric and Billie Smith were both athletes in high school, but they knew Jacob's interest would run in a different direction.

"I go into his room one day and he has the beginning of a charcoal drawing of Al Pacino and I saw it and I said ‘dude are you serious? He's like, who's that? Pacino!’ He said, ‘I seen that on Google and thought it would be cool to draw,’" said Cedric.

Pacino was just the beginning. His prolific color pencils draw the world as he sees it.  Watercolors paint an image you can't get out of your mind.

"To me, it's a collage of all that's going on in my head if that makes any sense at all. When people ask me what it means, it's stuff that comes to me and I need to put it on paper," said Jacob.

Drawing is like breathing and the kid who loved to climb trees is now climbing mountains of possibility.

"You're 19 years old and I look at your work and it's incredible," said Central Texas News Now Anchor Lindsay Liepman.

"Thank you," said Jacob.

"It's very deep. It's beautiful," said Liepman.

"Ever since I started drawing, I felt like my mind was opened more. It kind of tested my limits to see what I can do," said Jacob.

There's no 10-year plan or big dream. Just a passion to create more and reflect a world that isn't just black and white. He is heavily influenced by music and is intentional with every stroke.

"Art is such an open-minded and free way of expressing yourself. Everyone can be related to that in a sense," said Jacob.

"Tell me how proud of Jacob you are?" asked Liepman of his parents.

"That's hard to put into words," said Cedric.

"Just proud of him," said Billie as she began to tear up.

"As parents to see your kids thrive at something at the level, he's at is really amazing," said Cedric.

They'll be behind him throughout the journey as he paves his own way. With faith and confidence that anything is possible, and Jacob says he's patient about the process.

"For me, I'm a shy and quiet person. Art helps for me to speak out," he said.

You can view more of Jacob Smith's art through his Instagram page @jacobmayday.

"Texas Voices" airs every Monday at 6:30 p.m. on Central Texas News Now and features the artists, musicians and creatives in our great state.

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