116 Rainbows Don’t Paint Themselves (with Jacoby Nordberg)

Snarky Opener (0:00)

Jacoby Nordberg

It's not like a new thing or a surprise that oh, a gay guy's painting? Like, wow. Okay. Alert the news.

Episode Introduction (0:26)

Rob Loveless

Hello, my LGBTQuties, and welcome back to another episode of A Jaded Gay. I'm Rob Loveless and, today, I am a non-jaded gay because I recently bought a bicycle and sold my car.

I was a little hesitant to do this at first, but I've been living in the city for almost a year, and I realized that I really don't use my car that much.

Like I would drive to the gym in the morning and get groceries, but that's pretty much it.

And just right now, looking at going back to grad school, keeping my finances in track, I realized that it was just kind of a waste of money to have my car sitting around outside when I really only used it to drive 10 minutes every day.

So, I sold it, and I bought this car at the end of 2019, so almost five years ago, and it's definitely, you know, seen some things.

Living in Philly here, it's gotten scraped and bumped, you know, just being parked on the street, people sideswiping it.

But I was pleasantly surprised because, despite that, CarMax bought my car for just about $5,000 less than I bought it for five years ago. So, I consider that a win.

So, I was able to pay off some bills, throw some money in investing in savings, and pay my tuition bill. Hey. And so far, I've liked having a bicycle.

I've been, you know, riding my bike to the gym every morning. It's about a mile each way. I've had to run a few errands here and there, where I've gotten on my bike instead of walking.

So, so far so good, and I'm hoping that all that pedaling really helps with these legs.

Queer Art (1:46)

Rob Loveless

Anyway, from pedaling to painting, I am very excited to have a special guest on today to talk about queer art.

Now, in past episodes, we've had authors on, we've talked about pop culture, creativity, so I'm very excited for today's guest to talk to us a little bit about how he's inspired with creativity, both personally and politically, how it influences his art, and the importance of supporting queer art.

So, we'll dive into that in a minute, but first, let's pull our tarot card.

Tarot (2:17)

Rob Loveless

So, the card for this episode is the King of Swords. Swords, as you remember, is tied to the element of air, which is all about communication, both verbal and written.

It's masculine energy, which is action-oriented. And the King is also a masculine card. And I don't mean that in a gendered or patriarchal way. I'm talking about his position of being a leader and an authority.

I mean he's literally the king of his castle. So, with a masculine energy and a masculine figure, this card is very action-oriented. Also, the King of Swords is the final card in the suit.

So, it's telling us that we're at the end of a cycle or journey. It's also the 14th card in that suit. So, with double digits, we add them together and get five, which is representative of challenges and hardships and sometimes even conflict.

So, when we draw this card, it's reinforcing the qualities of a king within us. And those include leadership, intelligence, and logic.

So, using those attributes, we need to take decisive action as we come to the end of this cycle. Where are we going from here? What's the next logical step for us to take?

We need to trust our inner voice and intuition to guide us forward. And also tying into the conflict nature of the number five, when we're viewed as a leader or have succeeded at something, others may critique us or try to challenge us, which can result in conflict.

So, we need to remember to use our logic and intelligence in how we respond and engage with others in these instances.

And the way we communicate, especially in difficult situations, speaks volumes about our character.

Guest Introduction (3:48)

Rob Loveless

So, with that in mind, I am very excited to welcome our next guest. He makes queer art for theme parks. Please welcome Jacoby Nordberg. Ji, Jacoby. How are you today?

Jacoby Nordberg

Hey there. I'm good. How are you?

Rob Loveless

Doing well, thanks. Thanks for coming on today to talk to us about all things queer art.

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah. Thank you for having me.

Rob Loveless

Of course. Well, kicking it off, can you tell us a little bit about yourself, how you identify, your career, hobbies, pronouns, all that fun stuff?

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah. So, my name is Jacoby Nordberg. I go by he/him.

I'm originally from Seattle, Washington, but then I graduated and moved over to Orlando, Florida, where I'm currently residing and making fabrication, and restoring things and working as an artist full time.

Rob Loveless

And today, are you a jaded or non-jaded gay and why?

Jacoby Nordberg

I've been thinking about this all day. I feel like I could be very easily jaded.

Maybe I am starting out as jaded because of the career and the grind and all, but I want to be not jaded. But I would be fake to say that I'm not.

Rob Loveless

I think we all have a little jadedness in us, but it's a journey to move beyond the jaded. So, I think that's a good answer. Well, getting right into it, then, can you tell us about your art and your career as an artist?

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah, I mean, I feel like my story isn't as like exciting as other people's because it's very normal where, like, I was always attracted to art. I was born very like into it as a kid, very um, supported by my parents, like my dad built an easel for me.

My mom gave me, like, the cheapest, saddest, like, pack of like supplies, and it just kind of took off from there. But it was a lot of like, duplication work, like taking, like, my favorite book covers and repainting them, and just, like, copying a lot.

And so, my move into, like, going into school, it was a lot more like, they wanted conceptual work. They wanted landscapes.

And I was like, I just liked kind of copying, which, seeing, it sounds like a cheap out, the cop out to be like, I just want to copy shit and extend, I guess, but now that's what I do in Orlando.

It took moving across the country, but that is now what I do, but for the theme parks. So, it's not more like creating, like original shit.

It's more like continuing and restoring things that already exist, but doing it in the mindset of the creators that originally made it. So, it's kind of kind of built for me in that way.

Rob Loveless

And you talked about how your family supported you with your dad building an easel, your mom buying some art packs for you.

But from a young age, were there any artists or creators out there who really influenced you and really kind of piqued your interest in pursuing art as a career?

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah. I mean, I love, of course, like it was a lot of film. I feel like film really got me going with like, David Lynch and Alfred Hitchcock, um, lots of, like, old, pretentious. I was such, really, like, pretentious teenager, like, watching like Alfred Hitchcock, everyone's talking about like, Quentin Tarantino, and I'm like, No, but, like, Rear Window, though.

Like, I was the most like, annoying bitch out there, like, jaded from the get-go. Um, but A lot of like, or Dario Argenti, like, very, very like, specific Italian, British film.

And then moving into, like, where my career is now, it was more like, you know, Joe Rohde, Imagineers, Atencio, like, the whole thing of like, being like a theme park, Disney adult like, so, so cringy, but I really leaned into it now.

Kind of gotten where I am now, but it took a lot of being very like, I guess, liking what I like as a kid, and just kind of rolling with it, even though, you know, everyone else is playing, you know, like foosball and beer pong and I'm like, but the theme parks. I don't know. You know what I mean?

Rob Loveless

Definitely. And you talked about how your interest in art brought you to Orlando, and your career there building some sets. Can you tell us a little bit more about the work you do as an artist?

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah, so I work at nights. Um, so I'm I moved to a state that's sunny and hot, and I only see the moon like it's the most ironic bullshit.

But now, like, I when there's issues in the park at night, I am the one that's sent out to go fix them and to go patch things up and feed King Kong and feed the, you know, the dinos and shit.

That's like, that's my job now.

Artistic Influences (7:57)

Rob Loveless

Very cool. So how has your journey as a queer artist shaped your creative process and the themes you explore in your work?

Jacoby Nordberg

I feel like, as queer people, we fall into, like being very obsessed with super niche shit, or, like pop culture, like, that's part of our community is like, really, like finding icons that we relate to that will probably never know us, like Gaga, Madonna, and stuff, but like we, not I, only idolized, but really are inspired and driven by them.

And so being queer, and like, finding the Venn diagram of, like, queer people and theme park people, it really was such a driving force, especially like online, on Reddit posts and, you know, like defunct land and stuff like all the YouTube channels that are so niche and specific and like, oh, these are my people.

These people like, fucking get it. So, it wasn't only just the queer community. It was also, like the queer theme park community, and then, like, mixing that with artists and going to school with gay people that are, like, very conceptual, very original, making, like, abstract pieces about whatever trauma they have.

Um, it was such an interesting mix for sure to grow up in. And yeah, being a queer artist is very interesting. The theme parks, especially because most of the people that are making the theme parks in such a conservative state are queer, like a lot of creative, a lot of Imagineering, they're all gay.

They're all gay. But then the people that come in the daytime to visit it vary against the gays, which is so interesting to me.

Rob Loveless

That is interesting, and especially because in past episodes, we've talked about finding community and beyond just the sense of going to bars or being in the party scene.

So, there's obviously different subsets of community through volunteering, your geographical community, all of that.

So, it sounds like there is a kind of a sub-community of artists out there, specifically, in this case, theme park artists in your vicinity.

Jacoby Nordberg

Oh yeah. And then it's cool to see like people that work in the theme parks at night or whatever. They're also doing shit like for theaters, for like other communities.

So, it's cool to see how it's not just like the theme park industry, but it bleeds out into all of Orlando. And so, I'm working with people that are, like, working at one company, and I'm working at a different company, and they're also working in theaters and, like, small gigs and bars.

And I'm like, it's just such a creative place that you wouldn't, like the swamps. You would never think the swamps would be so full of, like, queer creatives.

But it's like, I mean, moving from Seattle, it's like, super it's more inspiring to me to be here than in Seattle, which is ironic, because you would think it'd be the opposite.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, I was gonna say, do you think there's a difference in the art scenes between Seattle and Orlando?

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah, and there's not, there's not like one that's better. I mean, I'm much more like the gimmick scene, like, if I were to pick horror movie, it'd be like something super campy and silly, versus, like, very serious and dark, like a Suspiria, 70, the 70 version versus like the new one with the Tilda Swinton.

Like, I would much rather have, like the bright colors and the can't be blood and the whole thing.

And that's what I would think Seattle versus Orlando is like, where it's Seattle is more about progressive, and it's about like, you know, we're fighting for a cause, and we're doing a piece about this issue, and then there's like, organic materials being used, and it's very like, big mind concept, where, here it's like, this thing is based on a fairy tale, and then that's it.

Like, it's very like, it's very gimmicky, which I don't mind. I really like it. Like, there's drone shows and fireworks and projection mapping, and it's all based on, like a fairy tale.

Like, I like that. It's very escapism. But I guess that's kind of what I needed after 2020, you know?

Rob Loveless

were there any particular moments or experiences that significantly influenced your decision to pursue a career in art?

Jacoby Nordberg

I mean, I don't know. I think it was always, I think for some people it is like a there is a moment, but for me, it was just always there. I think I got more into theater as a teenager because I wanted more attention, because I was a jaded gay, as we would say.

But I don't, I don't think there was any one moment. I think it was just a lot of support. I mean, when I came out and everything, there was lots of support too.

So, I guess I'm very privileged and blessed in that way. But there's not like, one moment where I was like, this is the shit.

I think I went to the theme parks a lot as a kid, so I was like, every time I would go, every year, I'd be like continuing the cycle. Like, keep keeping the inspiration there. So, I would say, yeah, it was just that.

Rob Loveless

Who are some of your biggest queer artistic influences and how have they impacted your work?

Jacoby Nordberg

Right now, it's a lot of, like, TikTok artists and like smaller people.

I mean, we can talk about, like, big people too, but I mean, there's so many smaller artists now, I'm just know them by like through their usernames and stuff, but there's so many, like, just random people in school that are making TikToks.

And I'm like, these people are fucking doing things that I would never think possible with, like the editing, and it's like traditional painting, but then they're also editing on top to make it, like stop motion and stuff.

And I just really appreciate the new medium of, like, social media, that layers it and adds to it in a way that we really didn't have before.

The Art Community (13:05)

Rob Loveless

Definitely, and I think that's another layer of community, beyond just our geographical locations. We're able to connect online, and sometimes it's terrible because there could be a lot of trolls online.

But something that's really amazed me is seeing TikTok, there are so many sub-communities in there. I know there's TarotTok, BookTok all these different toks.

So, can you tell us more about what the art TikTok community is like?

Jacoby Nordberg

I mean, art TikTok and like art social media is very interesting.

I feel like it's definitely part of, like, the business now, like, to be a successful artist that's pursuing, like, traditional fine art, painting, sculpture, especially as a queer person, you have to have that like component of a platform, or like merch, or like a stream or a certain day that you're posting.

I know certain artists in my community, in my circle, are very much against social media. They're like, I could never do that. I'm not like a influencer, and I'm like, but that's like our gallery now.

Like to make art and to put in a gallery is one thing, but how you gonna get people to go to your gallery?

You have to put it on social media. You have to advertise it. And I feel like it's the same kind of thing with like, projection. Like, okay, we're gonna paint a big mural.

I'm gonna use a projector to get that image on there, to trace it. And people be like, that’s cheating. You can't use a projector.

Mama, Michelangelo is using like, an old-fashioned projector to do the Sistine Chapel. Like, this is a tool we have.

I don't know why people are so, I think they see like, TikTok dances, you know, Miss Doja Cat, Miss Apple, you know, like the whole thing that, like, oh, cringe.

But like, we can also use this as, like a, almost like film, like, like a little you can make, like, short movies for your work. I don't know.

I think it's a whole other tool in our belt that has now become also an extra pressure. There's that double-edged sword where it's like, yay. We get to like, the whole world can see it.

But now it's a requirement, which is now a heavier weight. And I get so burnt out, mama. It's so so so tiring.

Rob Loveless

I bet. I mean, it's kind of self-advocating, where it's one thing to produce your own work and hope people discover it, but it's another that you really kind of have to market yourself out there, whether it's showing up at conventions or art sales or now social media.

So, it could be rewarding being your own boss, but also, I'm sure it takes a lot out of you.

Jacoby Nordberg

Oh yeah. I mean, look at people like Trixie Mattel, like huge artists in the community. She's taking a three-month break because of how much she's had to do for herself to get where she is.

And, I mean, of course, she has a team, but when she started, she probably it's like, you have to be your own manager, your own editor, Creative Director.

You have to, like, it's too much that's and it's all, um, all for the sake of art. Like, what are we doing?

Art & Identity (15:38)

Rob Loveless

Well, speaking of personal art and identity. How do you integrate your personal experiences into your art, especially as you talked about earlier, being a gay man living in a relatively conservative state?

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah, it's a lot of duality in my work. Like my personal work is about like the body, but also, like not sexualizing.

I think a lot of queer art turns very sexual very fast, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I think there's more to the queer experience than that.

And so, I really like expressing portraiture and like landscape work in a way that's more about, like a duality of the human being, or like the expansiveness, because I don't know about you, but like being queer, being gay, it's not always just black and white. It's a spectrum of stuff.

And so, I think that's something that's very fun to tap into and play with, especially in like paintings. Because for me, sculpture is something that's kind of like it's there, it's in the physical space.

But painting, you can play with like dimensions and like contrasting and stuff.

Rob Loveless

Can you walk us through your creative process, from the initial idea as it pops into your head to the finished piece?

Jacoby Nordberg

I feel like, for me, if I'm doing something where it needs to be an original piece, not like a duplication or in a continuation of a project, it's something that is I'm always inspired by, like music and film.

So, if I'm watching something, or if I'm listening, I get like, it's I had this conversation with someone recently where if I listen to music, I'm seeing images, and I'm talking to someone, they're like, I don't see that.

I'm like, what are we what are we doing? Because they were saying they don't even see colors, no shapes. They when they listen to music, they see like, the words, they're paying attention to the words.

And I'm like, I can't imagine that. When I'm like, listening music, I'm seeing movies. And so usually there's like, I'll make playlists of songs that are really visual to me.

Like, I'll have like, entire vibes for songs, and then I'll pull from those. And so, when I'm feeling no creativity, like, I'm like, I need to make some work. I need to do something. I'll assist in that playlist.

I'll put that playlist on and just like, there's like, a well, a sieve of information and like, inspiration from that. Because that's part of the issue, is that like to make work to be an artist.

It's not about being inspired. Like, that's like, a privilege to be like, so inspired. But it's really, it's really work. It's really just like, doing shit when you don't want to.

And so having a playlist like that is like, the first step in my process. And then it goes on to like, um, I would say, like, colors. Like, I'm definitely someone that's very color-focused.

Like, I said, like, Italian giallo film. I really love a saturated palette. I don't like muted palettes. As you can see from my dining room, it's bright blue.

I like to lean into, like, almost like 70s vibes, where we're just doing the most color, like late 70s. Almost to the point where it's gaudy. It's too saturated. And then I just, I go from there.

I'm also someone that paid a lot of attention to David Lynch when I was growing up, so his mindset of, like, not explaining his work, like Guillermo del Toro with someone who's like, here's my film, and this is exactly what it means.

And you like, go through the whole thing in interviews, and which is a great practice to have. But when I'm done with the piece, I'm almost like and here it is. And I don't know what it means, but here it is.

And that's a cool balance to have in my personal work that I don't have in my professional because, like, when I go to the theme parks, mama, there's a reason.

There's a whole reason, it's happening, um, it's very laid out and um, but in my personal work, I can be as abstract as possible. And that's that's really fun.

Rob Loveless

And I'm curious about that playlist you talked about. Are there any top songs that come to mind that really kind of get that energy flowing?

Jacoby Nordberg

Right now, it's a lot of The Weeknd, like Dawn FM, that whole album is so I like conceptual work. So, like The Weeknd's, first two albums, he's coming out with a third one.

But those first two After Hours and Dawn FM are really good. So, like, Sacrifice is a good one. And then Ethel Kane has a conceptual album called Preacher's Daughter, and it's very dark.

But like, I'd say, House in Nebraska is a good one. And then, mm. If I have to pick one more, maybe, I don't know, I feel like Journey, a lot of like Journey in like, Separate Ways, but that's also like Stranger Things. Like I said, just think about Stranger Things.

Rob Loveless

Yeah, Stranger Things is credited with resurfacing a lot of songs. Like, when Stranger Things came out, like, I knew that song, but it just got back in my head, and I listened to it all the time.

Became like, my hot girl strut walk when I'm at the gym and stuff, and then, like, what's it called, Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush.

You know, not a lot of people had known that, and 40-some years later, it's moving up the charts. So, I think Stranger Things definitely has some, uh, pop culture contributions there.

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah. And I it's funny you say that because, like, my car is named Babushka.

Like, I've loved Kate Bush since the start, and then when she got super popular, like, the resurgence, because Stranger Things talking about being a jaded gay, I was like, bitch, I've been knowing.

Like, as gay people, we're so in tune with, like, the shit. And then when it, like, gets popular, we're like, you call me crazy for talking about that.

Like you said I was annoying for talking about that and now that's all you listen to? Like, with Brat. Oh my God, when Brat first happened, and, like, the boiler room set.

And I was like, Guys, you're not ready for this, this album, it's gonna be so good. And they're like, Jacob, shut up. Like you're so annoying. Talking about Brat all the time. Miss Kamala Harris.

Miss Kamala is all America's talking about Brat now? And I'm like, Yeah, I don't know the gays are, like, we're always ahead of that shit.

And it makes me so jaded, because I'm like, oh, now you want to get Okay, now you want to get Kate Bush? Oh, gotcha. Okay.

Rob Loveless

I know. It's funny that you mentioned that, because, literally yesterday, my friend.

I mean, admittedly, I'm not a huge Charlie XCX fan, like, I like her, and I know some of her music, but I don't follow her religiously, but I know about, you know, Brat, you know, the signature green color, all that stuff, and I've been plugged into it just from following a lot of gays on Instagram. I see it all.

But my friend literally texted me last night, my straight friend, she's like, so what is brat summer? And I'm like, all right, well, let me try to explain this to you.

And I think it was just because of that, like you said, with Kamala Harris, all of a sudden, we're seeing her embrace the that green Brat color as well.

So, I think, like you said, it's gone to the mainstream. End even last year, I mean, I've loved Kylie Minogue for a while, and my friend got sick of her.

She hates Kylie Minogue strictly because I was trying to push her onto her so much. But then Padam came out last year, and she's like, this is actually really catchy. I'm like, See, I told you.

Jacoby Nordberg

No, the amount of times I've been like, I told you, so is crazy. It's so frustrating.

Queer Representation in Art (22:21)

Rob Loveless

Well, you spoke earlier about kind of the duality in your artwork as it represents queer art themes. That being said, how do you see the representation of LGBTQ+ artists in the art world today?

Jacoby Nordberg

I mean, it's there. It's like, it's everywhere is the thing. It's, like, in my in the industry in Orlando, it's there's always queers on the team.

So, like, when, like, say, like, Renaissance came out and stuff, I'm like, oh, like, the gays are with Beyonce. Like we are, we are always there on the on the team. But I don't know, in my work?

I don't know that question is kind of hard because we're always there, is the thing is, like, we're always on the team, we're always on the panel.

And like, the nods and the the argue, like the taking and stuff is very interesting to me where it's like, I guess there's like, gay-baiting.

You know, like, when there's artists that are like, doing queer shit, and people are like, that's gay-baiting. I'm like, or are we taking homage? Are we nodding? You know what?

I mean, it's a good conversation to have with that type of stuff.

Rob Loveless

What challenges have you faced as a queer artist, and how have you overcome them?

Jacoby Nordberg

I mean, I feel like most of the challenges I have are internal. I feel like it's a lot of self-doubt, or it's a lot of questioning or being hypercritical or staring at something for too long, and I don't know.

I mean, like it's all very internal. Of course, there's a lot of competitiveness in the industry.

I would say it's interesting to find myself being challenged by more unfortunately, like queer people than straight people, because the industry is so competitive that people who are even in your like circle, in your community, are the ones that are trying to get the same gig.

So, in that sense, that has made me jaded. But most of my work personal is internally challenged, I would say.

Rob Loveless

And going off of that, how important is it for you to create visibility for LGBTQ+ issues through your art?

Jacoby Nordberg

Well, that's very important. I mean, even just being a representative, being a person in the room who is queer, and to know that person was on the team or the project that in itself, is very important to have that voice or that working hand.

You know, if it's a big project that we're working on in the parks, even just being that voice in the room, or knowing that someone is doing that, is something that maybe, like the seven-year-old self of me would be like, oh, so I can do that. You know?

Even though my job is sometimes, most times, an un a thankless job, you would say, because it's kind of unknown. We're just kind of in the background. We're in the crew. But in my, like, gallery fine artwork.

I mean, yeah, like I said, in my personal work, it's very important to have that person in the room that that work in the gallery that is surrounded by other pieces that's like, oh, this person's queer, but it's not, you know, it's not like a new thing or a surprise that, oh, a gay guy's painting.

Like, wow, okay, alert the news. But no, it's always great, especially if the representation is in the work or talking about a subject that's not maybe talked about a lot.

Like maybe at the intersection of being a person of color and queer, or someone with a disability and queer, or in a state that is not known for being very queer, or a country that's not known for being very queer-focused, or representative. Yeah, very, very cool.

Rob Loveless

And what do you hope people take away from your art?

Jacoby Nordberg

That is a question I don't have been working on recently because before school was like, I want to scare people. I want to give people to spook. And that's so not it like that is so not my vibe.

I think it changed after 2020 seeing so many people die and be struck with so much grief and loss and such a change in the world that we kind of all got PTSD together and kind of moved on in a way of trying to get closure that I my work is more, not only about like escapism in my professional career, but more so about, I would say it's about like inner work.

It's about inner reflection and searching. I would say a lot of searching, and not just like in my work, but also, like during it's a lot of I want to go much from like retro, what should I say, like older artists, but apply it in a way that's searching forward, and that's nothing that's like new.

That's done by so many people and probably should be done non-stop, but that is what I'm focusing on now, instead of, like, I want to be that spooky bitch in the gallery. No, mama, that's not it.

I don't want to do that's not cute. That's so cringy to me, because there's people that do it very well and, um, very naturally and very in a way that's almost, um, poetic and beautiful and like, but not I'm not, I'm not doing a haunted house. I'm not doing that anymore.

Rob Loveless

And are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions you're excited about?

Jacoby Nordberg

Right now, it's a lot of like furniture building. I'm doing a lot of like restoring thrifted pieces. There's I used to thrift a lot in Seattle, and there was a lot of great pieces.

But now moving to Florida, all the furniture is very like, it's very like tropical and wicker and Golden Girls and like very 80s. And I'm loving restoring all these pieces.

So before, when I would make personal work, it's like paintings. And now I'm doing like chairs, which is so Butch of me.

It's so, like, masculine and weird to be, like, wanting to get a truck just so I can buy an armoire, which is the gayest reason to get a truck, I would say.

Like, I need to get a truck so I can buy a giant wardrobe and, like, have my Narnia fantasy. What am I doing? Where am I?

But, um, now it's like, I'm gonna reupholster a chair and I'm refinishing a mirror that cracked and broke, thankfully, not my apartment, so there's no bad luck.

But yeah, it's a lot of like, like sanding and cutting wood and repainting and glassing, which it reminds me of what I do at the parks because I'm not to get off topic, like I, um, I, we're using like things that are very traditionally masculine, like fiberglass automotive paint.

These are things that are used for, like, building boats and cars, and we're using them to make like the gayest, like queerest. We're making dinosaurs. We're making like wizarding witches.

Like, we're doing very fantasy shit with very traditionally masculine tools, which is um, a part of that dichotomy, that part of the contrast and like duality of the art. I think it's very, very interesting to ponder um, to use a material like a sander, but we're making, like, the gayest piece of furniture in the world. I love that.

Rob Loveless

That's awesome. And I think that's a great example too, of that duality you talked about earlier on.

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah, yeah.

Rob Loveless

Can you share any resources or communities that have been particularly supportive in your journey?

Jacoby Nordberg

Well, the University of Washington, because that's where I went to school, in Seattle, and that was such a good resource of like, people telling me, like, okay, you want to be a painter, but here's how it really is.

Like the people want, the people are gonna be old and white, and they want to buy conceptual work and, like landscape. And I'm like, okay, that's like being a sellout.

And they're like, Yeah, you gotta be a sellout. And that's, um, great to make a living. Great to make a buck, but I don't see that for me as a younger person.

I see that for me as like an older person who's like, I need to paint to keep my mind active.

So maybe in like, my 40s, 50s, I might do more of that type of stuff, like just painting the ocean, you know, which is great, like, there's no, there's no like, shame to that.

But for me, I was like, I want to do something that's, like, a little little spicy, a little weird, a little gimmicky, and, like, strange, and that's where I'm at now.

So yeah, I would say just the university and, like, my teachers and professors and my parents and friends. I would say artists, but they don't fucking know me. Like, I would be like, David Lynch.

Bitch doesn't know me. Like, why would I thank him?

But yeah, I would say, like, all the little mentors I've had along the way, and so many people at my work now that are just so I shadowed and I learned all my tools and my materials from so yeah, all that and surprisingly supportive of being queer in Florida.

I think there's a bad rap around being gay in Florida, but girl so many of us are so it's it's a great little when you find your people here, you found your people, you know?

Rob Loveless

And what advice would you give to young LGBTQ+ artists who are just starting out?

Jacoby Nordberg

I would say, find the mentor. Find the person that's even someone your own age, like, find someone that is in your space online, no matter where you know where you are.

Find someone that you can just share your work with, bounce ideas back and forth, keep that journal, keep that Pinterest board, whatever you need to do, your TikTok collection, whatever it is, um, but to even have one person as community.

So, like, even to find that one person that might be your same age or older and gone through it, to have that mentorship between two people is very, very important, um, because you might be seeing one thing one way, and they could see the other way.

And that goes for the life stuff too. Like they might, you might be like, oh, I don't know how to come out, or I don't know when to come out, and you're overthinking it, or you're, um, need to take a step back, or whatever.

Like, definitely find a person that can help you grow and learn from.

Episode Closing (32:12)

Rob Loveless

And connecting it back to the tarot, the King of Swords, like we said, the king is the final card in the suit.

So, we've achieved something. We're at the end of a cycle, but just because that's over doesn't mean we're done with our goals. It just means that with this door closing, a new one has opened.

And being the king has a lot of responsibility. We're all kings of our own castle, and we have to be leaders and use intelligence and logic when we make decisions going forward.

And sometimes when people perceive us as a leader or that we've quote unquote made it, they may critique us or challenge us, which also ties into the conflict aspect of this card.

But as Jacoby talked about all that naysay and competition is all external, and we draw our inspiration from within. We need to trust our inner voice and intuition to guide us forward.

Remember, this is a very action-oriented card with Swords being a very masculine suit and the king also being a masculine figure.

Again, not based in gender or patriarchy, but in terms of being a masculine figure. So, both of these masculine energies are just flowing with action and urging us to take inspired action forward.

And again, the king is a solid ruler. He thinks things through. He's strategic. He plans. So, we can't just rush into the next thing. We really need to focus within to guide us on where we go from here.

Connect with Jacoby (33:23)

Rob Loveless

Well, Jacoby, thank you so much for coming on today and talking all about queer art. I really appreciate it. Can you tell the listeners where they can learn more?

Jacoby Nordberg

Yeah. I mean, um, I wish I could say I have, like, a website and like a portfolio.

I do not right now, uh, but I would say go on my Instagram @jacoby.nord to just see the updates in my life and where I'm at and, and then that's it.

And my TikTok, but I don't really post there, so just my Instagram is great.

Rob Loveless

Awesome, and we'll include all that information in the show notes.

Connect with A Jaded Gay (33:52)

Rob Loveless

And you know the drill, if you have any questions for myself or Jacoby, you can send them to rob@ajadedgay.com.

Please also remember to rate, review, and subscribe. Five-star ratings really help the podcast get pushed up in the algorithm so we can reach more LGBTQuties out there.

Also, for more information on Jacoby, episode resources, links to merchandise, social, all that fun stuff, you can check out the website at ajadedgay.com.

You can connect with the podcast on Instagram, TikTok, SoundCloud, and YouTube @ajadedgaypod. You can follow me personally, Rob Loveless, on Instagram @rob_loveless.

And if you're feeling generous, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. That gets you instant access to ad-free episodes a day early, plus exclusive monthly bonus content.

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Or if you're scared of commitment, that's okay. I get it. You can do a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee for any dollar amount, and both of those are @ajadedgaypod.

And remember: every day is all we have, so you got to make your own happiness.

Mmm-bye.

Outtake (35:22)

Rob Loveless

So how has your journey as a queer artist shaped your creative process and the themes you explore in your work?

Jacoby Nordberg

Sorry, I zoned out. What did you say?