Portrait of Artist Spring Break Jake in the Scalehouse Studio Artist Residency in Bend, Oregon.

HI FRIEND

As an artist, I am known as Spring Break Jake.
Legally, my name is Jacob Jerome Kenobi.
But you can call me Jake.

“Bend, OR-based painter Spring Break Jake creates heavily textured, multi-layered work using the juxtaposition of tropical imagery and colors with macabre, Memento Mori-style illustrations.

Shining a light on the all-too-often unseen and unspoken parts of our psyches, Spring Break Jake's work explores the reality of our collective mental health, encouraging the viewer to embrace the good & the bad, the light & the dark, and the inner & outer worlds that are inherent to the human condition.

The multi-layered messaging of his paintings is reflected in the many layers of each finished work, from the adherence of found materials for depth to the numerous coats of paint with varying thicknesses that take on an almost sculptural effect. New and recurring themes come straight from Jake’s own lived experiences with depression and anxiety as well as the many ideas and subjects he discusses in therapy regularly.

By recognizing the universality of our often unseen experiences with mental health, Jake’s work puts a special focus on reducing the stigmas around true vulnerability in the hopes of instilling a sense of solidarity and connection with anyone experiencing his works.”

- Reno Tahoe International Art Show

What I Do

My art is a delicately measured cocktail (or mocktail) of curious creativity and sideways individuality that brings the beach to you, wherever you are.
I’ve been breaking into the world of illustrative abstract expressionist art and would love to put my experience into a custom piece for your home or business!
Nothing says “We’re a rad business” like a mural! I’ve had the pleasure of creating a number of both interior & exterior murals in my signature style while still capturing each brand’s unique personality and demographic.
I create eye-catching illustrations for brands & businesses across multiple industries looking to stand out in the marketplace.
To this day, a good ol’ t-shirt is still one of my favorite canvases, but I’ve created artwork for all kinds of apparel and am always down to put my visual art on anything and everything wearable.
My skills, interest, & abilities are always evolving, so if you think you have a project that just maybe I’d be a good fit for, don’t hesitate to reach out!

People Who
Think I Do It Well

“It’s always a pleasure working with Jake. He’s professional, delivers amazing work on time, and always has a great attitude. His design aesthetic fits our tone and vibe perfectly and we look forward to working with Jake on future Surfrider projects!”
“Spring Break Jake is one of the most fun designers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Every idea is a good idea when it comes to Jake, and the art was even better than expected!”
“Jake’s style was a key inspiration for our Eternal Vacation collection. He then was able to work with us to deliver on our ideas through that style in an open, efficient, constructive, and collaborative process. That process wouldn’t be without snags, but his humble approach and determination to get the final line right where we wanted, was much appreciated. Together we brought forward the collection as we had imagined it and it’s a truly beautiful creation. Jake’s illustration/art is crafted out of care, the same care he brings to his projects and commissions, he’s absolutely a pleasure to work with. ”