When Jesus Escobar was a student at South Salem High School, he enjoyed his painting and drawing classes, but didn’t think about pursuing art further. After arriving at Chemeketa Community College, he initially pursued business marketing but soon realized his true passion lay in art. He’s been creating art seriously for the past three years, focusing on painting, digital photography, and collage. For Escobar, art is fulfilling on many levels. As he says, “I find that when I’m going through tough times, it helps me feel better. Others seem to enjoy my artwork as well, and I like making other people happy.”
Form and Line in the Abstract With Jesus Escobar
Escobar works in both analog and digital spaces, creating abstract paintings while also taking architectural photographs that he manipulates and retouches afterward. Both are concerned with form and line, and the two sides of his practice are distinct but clearly in conversation. He draws inspiration from the world around him, using photographs primarily from urban spaces in Salem and Portland.
For Escobar, learning more about abstract art and incorporating that into his practice has been transformational. “I used to think art had to mimic the Old Masters, but discovering artists like [Paul] Klee and [Wassily] Kandinsky showed me the power of simplicity—primary shapes, bold colors. Over time, I gravitated toward squares and rectangles, using them as anchors for compositions that feel chaotic yet balanced.”
He also notes that “What appeals to me about abstract art is the freedom to create visually compelling work that resonates differently with each viewer. Unlike representational painting, abstraction allows me to explore techniques and compositions that prioritize emotion, form, and intuition over literal interpretation. At its core, abstract art lets me craft imagery that invites others to engage with it on their own terms—whether it “makes sense” or simply sparks curiosity.”
Escobar Creates Art Opportunities Around Salem
Escobar’s background in business marketing has made him well-positioned to help his art practice grow. He attends networking events, pursues contacts with people who can help him, and creates new opportunities for himself throughout the mid-Willamette Valley. Because of his broad range of contacts, he has had exhibits at spaces ranging from the Salem Public Library to the Woodburn Estates and Golf and Travel Salem.
Escobar has a fruitful association with the Keizer Art Association, where he both exhibits and teaches classes. Since 2023, he has participated in multiple shows at the space and won awards for his work there. Escobar’s work is on view at a rotating series of galleries in Salem.
In addition to art, Escobar is on multiple arts advisory councils. He is part of the local Keizer Public Art Advisory Council, which identifies artists and public art to bring to the streets of Keizer. He also plans to work on a smaller mural in Keizer. Through the Portland Art Museum, Escobar is a member of the Youth Advisory Council, which works to make the museum and its collection more accessible to students around the region. He hopes to work with the Salem-Keizer School District to create opportunities for field trips to the art museum.
Escobar is also a board member of the Marion County Cultural Development Corporation and part of the committee for the Salem Multicultural Institute/World Beat Gallery, which puts on the World Beat Festival yearly in June, focusing on different world cultures. He has also shown his own work in the World Beat Gallery.
For Escobar, arts advocacy is an integral part of his life as an artist. He wants “people to realize they can have a great career in the art world. There are several opportunities, and I want to expose that so others can continue to do the work. I want the future to be full of more artists. Brave artists who aren’t afraid to show their work, because to me, it feels like that can be the scariest part. I want others to see if I did it, they can do it too.”
Escobar aims to create multiple pathways for people to enter the art world, despite being relatively new to serious art pursuits. Through his numerous exhibits, advocacy, and community connections, Jesus Escobar strives to make art enjoyable and accessible to everyone.
