Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Seff.
Jared, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a triplet, my parents had a unique vantage point—they always had two natural points of comparison. From an early age, it became clear that I had a different relationship with art. While my siblings and I would sit on the floor drawing, my parents noticed that I stayed within the lines, fully immersed in the creative process for hours on end. They recognized and nurtured this early passion, enrolling me in classical oil painting classes at the age of six—something that would shape the course of my life.
By my teenage years, I experienced a breakthrough in my career as a professional portrait artist. I painted a portrait of Sir Paul McCartney that was considered as a potential album cover. Though the album was never released, his charitable organization, Adopt-A-Minefield, requested to use the portrait for their annual fundraiser. Sir Paul personally signed the painting, which ultimately sold for $11,000. That moment opened doors to national press coverage and a series of opportunities that brought me to California, where I had the privilege of meeting and painting notable figures such as Tony Bennett, Jay Leno, Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, and more. I even had the honor of meeting former President Bill Clinton and presenting him with a portrait that now hangs in his presidential library in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Following high school, I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, earning a BFA in Painting and an MFA in Illustration. Over the next decade, I built a career as a large-scale public artist—creating stained glass installations, murals, portraits, and designs—while also teaching high school art. Today, I’ve come full circle. I’m back at my alma mater, now teaching full-time, helping to shape and inspire the next generation of artists and creators.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am today has been long and challenging—but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been deeply rewarding. Like any meaningful pursuit, my journey has required thousands of hours of focused training. Along the way, I’ve faced setbacks, moments of doubt, and times when I considered walking away from it all.
From an early age, my parents not only recognized my artistic ability—they also encouraged discipline and dedication. Much like a child committed to mastering the piano, I had scheduled painting sessions and classes throughout the week. This structure instilled in me a strong work ethic and a foundation of practice essential for mastery. Still, it wasn’t always easy—especially during my teenage years, when other interests began to pull me away from the easel. At one point, I seriously considered putting down my brushes for good.
I’m so grateful I never did.
Even now, years into my career and with a solid foundation behind me, I still have moments of uncertainty. A difficult portrait session or a frustrating technical issue can linger and chip away at my confidence. But I’ve learned to take those challenges and use them as fuel—to let them drive me to improve, experiment, and try again. I now see setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to learn and grow.
That mindset continues to inspire me. I believe that no matter how far I’ve come, there is always room to evolve—as an artist, a painter, and a designer. And that ongoing pursuit of growth is what keeps me excited every time I return to the canvas.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I like to say that I work across mediums and time. My practice is rooted in tradition—drawing from techniques and materials with ancient origins—yet it remains firmly grounded in the present. Though classically trained, I’m not bound to a strictly classical approach. I couldn’t be, even if I tried. I am distinctly contemporary, and the influences, relationships, and passions of my life inevitably shape the art I create.
To me, painting and drawing are inseparable. In fact, I see all media as interconnected. The foundational principles of design and the study of form are the throughlines in all my work. That said, my preferred and most practiced medium is oil painting. I specialize in representational, figurative work inspired by the classical tradition—though always with a modern sensibility.
Storytelling is central to my work. Every piece I create contains a narrative—sometimes explicit, sometimes quietly implied, as in my portraits and figurative compositions.
Lately, I’ve been exploring the ancient and enduring theme of combat as sport. From the wrestlers depicted on Greek vessels to early 20th-century boxing paintings, this subject has persisted across time and cultures. As a figurative artist, I’m drawn to the heroic quality of the athlete’s form, and equally captivated by the theatrical, almost mythic narrative of the ring. There’s a duality to it—beauty and brutality intertwined. Mixed martial arts, in particular, embodies this paradox: a visceral, often violent blood sport that is at once an intricate and highly technical art form.
My recent work attempts to capture this tension through the poetic language of paint. I seek to elevate these scenes into a romantic, almost sacred visual space—while never obscuring the raw intensity of the spectacle. What adds further emotional complexity is that many of these works are inspired by on-site sketches and studies of my own siblings—my triplet brother and sister—both of whom are mixed martial arts fighters. Their presence in the ring introduces a deeply personal layer of tension. As they step into combat, I process the moment not only as an artist but as a sibling. These pieces become a kind of crescendo, blending the timeless with the intimately personal.
Alongside my figurative work, I’ve also spent the past decade creating sacred art—primarily in stained glass. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with artist Carl Fougerousse at Red Fern Art Studio, producing stained glass commissions for clients across the country. This work, too, lives at the intersection of tradition and personal devotion, uniting craftsmanship with spiritual meaning.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
First and foremost, it’s people who bring me joy. At the center of that joy are my beautiful wife and children. Simply being with them—living, breathing, sharing space—is enough to make me truly happy.
Beyond family, creating art gives me a profound sense of purpose. When I’m painting or drawing, there’s an almost euphoric clarity I experience—something that resonates deeply with my spirit and connects me to something greater.
In the next ring of fulfillment are my secondary passions: playing soccer, making music, and embracing moments of rest and leisure. These pursuits are essential, too. They help round out my life, replenish my energy, and contribute in their own way to the happiness I carry into my work and relationships.
Pricing:
- For any interest in commissioning or purchasing art I encourage readers to inquire by reaching out directly to my email
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jaredseff.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jared_seff_art/
