CREATIVES WE LOVE:
Three Balls Red’s design team and clients can’t get enough of the bold, beach cowboy rodeo-themed artwork by Australian talent, Jacob Pedrana aka Jakey Pedro.
Born and raised in Noosa and living in Sydney’s northern beaches with his son Ryka, Pedrana’s ‘unruly’ colourful, neo-expressionist style is loved by discerning clients in Australia and across the globe – for good reason.
This year’s Artist in Residence at Splendour in the Grass, Pedrana was always a creative but worked in shopfitting and plastering until the global pandemic when he really tapped into his natural talent and potential as a professional artist.
Inspired by sunshine and surf culture, Pedrana has done a second exclusive release of original prints that speak to the wildness of the Navajo rodeo for Three Balls Red.
Three Balls Red caught up with Pedrana to chat about creativity, his inspiration and his favourite piece of work to-date.
Have you always been creative?
When I was a kid, my parents used to buy me paint sets and art supplies so I was always drawing or making something using clay.
My grandad is a sign writer in Melbourne so I guess it ran in the family. I used to draw in-depth drawings of animals as a kid.
Who or what inspires you?
My son, Ryka. I like showing him that you don’t have to go to university to have a career in art and that you can make a living from something you love to do. He inspires me the most out of anyone.
What is your favourite piece of work to date?
I just finished it yesterday. It is called Forever, ever and continues with the rodeo, romantic theme. It’s not about a girl – it’s about family and infinite love.
Who would be the dream client to hang one of your pieces of work on their wall?
To have my art in the right house is so important so that is a hard one. I’d say Kelly Slater so I am manifesting that.
“Rodeos are a metaphor for life’s wild ride. You’re on the horse, it’s bucking, and you’re partly in, and out, of control. Sometimes you get thrown off the horse; other times you tame the beast.”
There seems to be a renewed appreciation for handcrafted objects, bespoke furniture and quality art instead of mass-produced, cookie-cutter pieces. Do you agree and why do you think that’s so?
Yes, I agree. Everything shifted during Covid. You couldn’t touch anything so people went online or via Instagram to shop. People changed their budgets and there was big push for the art world as people were sitting in their houses saying, ‘What is that print I have had for 10 years?! Let’s change our art up.’ It was a turning point, a major boom, in the art and creative industries that worked very well for us.
It’s been a big year for you. What’s next for Jakey Pedro?
I have a show in Sydney and I am chatting to a gallery in New York.
It’s been a big year with Splendour and I have travelled a lot so I want to get grounded living here [on the Northern Beaches], chill and paint from my heart.
