Spotlight Artist: Jeff Brackett

“This is just the beginning” is Artist Jeff Brackett’s favourite mantra

Jeff Brackett has always been different. 

Starting with being the first in his family to go to college, he became a beloved college professor. He was so beloved that he won the highest teaching award at Ball State University, given only to one person each year through a rigorous committee vetting process… 

And then took the bold move of leaving it all to become a full-time artist. 

His mind had always been busy with more ideas than he could keep up with. He felt frustrated and overwhelmed in his studio.

Then he learned he had Asperger's, and things began to snap into place. 

So what did he do? 

Jeff learned to slow down. He embraced having too many ideas to keep up with as a gift. 

He developed a set of beautiful mantras to guide him over the eight months he’s spent in the Become Internationally Known program.

His favourite mantra: “This is just the beginning.” 

“I repeat it each time I get into my studio. It’s helping me shift my attention from the present to the future possibilities that are going to emerge from the present moment.”

Knowing himself and his process is helping him produce more and more new work… In shorter periods. And for the first time, he has a dedicated art studio to play and experiment in. 

Jeff’s experience of living with Asperger’s has much to teach us about what is possible when we live in the one and only NOW. 

Check out his work here.

Lithium_ink_36x60, Happy Hour_ink_36x60, Hope_ink_30x22, Summer_ink_30x22, Unwind_ink_22x30, 2023