Some artists paint for a living, some go to school to learn how to paint and some, like Reggie Jaggers were born with the talent and just love to do it.  He was born in Louisville and lived there until he was ten.  He and his family relocated to Edmonson County where he stated he considers himself being from.

  Mr. Jaggers is not only a visual artist but a musical artist as well.  He said, “Music and art have always been my entire life. I believe one compliments the other perfectly”.  He started playing music at thirteen and by seventeen he was playing professionally. Gary Goodwin, owner of Knights Inn recruited Reggie for his band The Lonely Souls Delegation in 1976.

  “As far as my art I just see it as realism, I paint what I see and feel. I use only oils and there are just certain things that catch my eye. I mostly love to paint landscapes because I really love nature and the way light can affect a scene. I love painting the past also because I feel as if I’m at least preserving it in someway. Too many things from my childhood are disappearing everyday”. Reggie Jaggers also said, “I believe and have been told several times by the people who view my art that I am helping them “see” what it is I’m seeing, in other words they’re seeing a scene through my eyes.   Mr. Jaggers took art classes at Edmonson County High School.  He believes that you can not make an artist, it has to be in you in the first place.

   Reggie has been working as some sort of artist his entire life. “I use to love to sit and draw and would for hours. When I started writing my own songs I would do “albums” of them and even did the artwork for the albums. I had a sign shop in Park City for a few years and my artwork really helped me there but to me it wasn’t really what I wanted so I went back to music. Listen to a song with no sort of visual aid, then listen to the same song with beautiful pictures and see what a difference there is. I also believe that there is an artist in everyone. I’ve found that I paint my best when I am as loose as possible with the painting, trying not to get too technical with it and just letting it happen, much like writing a song. I don’t like to “copy” anyone’s art because to me that’s like doing a cover song, it’s already been done by the best and it’s their creation so how can you improve on something like that. There has always been a driving force in me to create, be it art, music or writing. I love the idea of knowing that just a short while before there was nothing there but now there is either a beautiful picture or song. I firmly believe that my inspiration comes from God, He has given me the talent I have and I thank him for it every time I do something. My art is always in the foreground of my mind, no matter where I go I’m constantly looking at things, at colors and how the light works with or against them. I believe that it’s all right there, all we have to do is take the time to look. But then again, some people look but never see.”

   He has exhibited one of his oil paintings at Western’s Kentucky Museum and said it was a great learning experience. He said that the only rewards he has received are the ones he gets when someone sees his paintings. “I’ve given away so many I’ve lost track of the number but my oldest son once told me that my paintings are a part of me and in sharing them they have the potential to last over a hundred years because no one will throw away a painting”, stated Reggie.

   “What I would like to accomplish with my art is mainly to make people happy with them and of course to at least make enough money from them to pay for the supplies”.

  You can contact Reggie Jaggers at:  270-799-6845 or his email at:  rlj9351@insightbb.com

  He leaves us with this message, “It’s all there right in front of you, just ‘see’ it when you look”. 

About the author: Ronnie Jaggers is a seasoned sculptor, fine artist and master crafter. Her work can be seen on ChiseledFeaturesStudio.webs.com. She reminds other artists “Trust the beauty of your art, for if you see the beauty, others will too.” To be considered for the featured artist call Ronnie at 791-3505 or email ChiseledFeaturesStudio@yahoo.com