Jack Nixon
Member Since October 22nd, 2010
Jack Nixon
A native-born Chicagoan, Jack Nixon graduated in 1975 from New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. While at New Trier he excelled in history, art, and technical, architectural, and engineering drawing.
Mr. Nixon developed formal composition and the aesthetics of positive and negative space at the Cleveland Institute of Art, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design Communication. Shortly afterwards, he received a number of merits, including two national design and calligraphy awards from Communication Arts Magazine in San Francisco.
After returning to Chicago in 1984, Jack began to illustrate private homes and public buildings on the North Shore. He also began to notice the serious pride and appreciation Chicagoans had for their architecture. Not having perceived Chicago's architecture in his youth, books he read, lectures and walking tours he took of the city revealed Chicago's heritage and historical significance for the first time. Architectural photography was visible, as was art composed in water color, pen & ink, and oils.
But something was missing in the art of the old buildings he loved to study. Mr. Nixon realized the contemporary art did not complement their excellent craftsmanship; contrary to old, intricate, architectural prints he had seen in his college research. The vast majority of contemporary interpretation was to impressionist to capture their elegance. The warmth and human quality of the beautiful embellishments of the classic stone and terra cotta reliefs were being lost in the art of general street scenes.
And richly detailed, framed European architectural prints of were hanging in corporate offices and retail shops all over town? Prints of old engravings and etchings were filling a void in the art market that should have been filled with ornamental prints of Chicago. Either no one had taken advantage of the opportunity to supply the public these graphics or no one had realized the market's need.
"In the last two decades, an intensified interest in the preservation of our natural environment has evoked a broader understanding of environmental quality: environment is both natural and man-made. This expanded concept of environment is a recognition that buildings and neighborhoods should be preserved for reasons that go beyond historic or architectural significance. A sense of place and cultural continuity are increasingly accepted as genuine needs in American society."
"Equally widespread is the growing recognition that "quality of life" is intimately related to hospitable surroundings- in terms of scale, texture, and a design of place. Architecture is the art that defines our sensabilities more than any other form of visual expression. Warm, natural materials and elements of craftsmanship in ornament bring value to our surroundings. As we build structures of glass and steel that have few elements to celebrate our own humanity, we have grown to appreciate older buildings that relate more to us. Conservation, renovation, or restoration of fine, old buildings made of limestone and terra cotta have helped to save our deteriorating visual urban environment."
But, with little graphic reenforcement, how could the education, awareness, and appreciation of Chicago's classic architecture be manifested more concretely to the public on a day to day basis?
Inspired by the likes of the Italians, GiamBattista Pirenasi and Andrea Palladio, and the French Ecole Des Beaux Arts illustrators, Jack's goal is to give the world high quality drawings and prints of the beautiful architecture, architectural ornament, and monuments produced in late 19th and early 20th century America that will rival the 18th and 19th century graphics of the Europeans.
In 1987 Mr. Nixon began to draw a series of master original pencil drawings that could be reproduced in lithograph, giclee, and gravure prints for the general public. The series is called: CLASSIC CHICAGO: THE ART OF ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING".
Writing stationery cards with matching envelopes are also available of many of the major cultural institutions and landmarks. They are called: "THE MUSEUM OLLECTION," "THE CLASSIC COLLECTION", and "THE ADLER PLANETARIUM ART DECO ZODIAC".