As Jacob Rochester’s solo show at Nepenthes Los Angeles prepares to wrap up, the store sat down with him to discuss his background, his process, and the ideas that shape his work.
Rochester’s art moves fluidly between music, memory, and form, tracing a narrow path between structure and constant evolution. Raised in Bloomfield, Connecticut, just outside Hartford, his artistic instincts were shaped less by his surroundings and more by the people closest to him. “I wouldn’t say the place had the biggest impact since it was kind of a small town. But my family and friends definitely did,” he reflects. Familial influences like his father’s reggae band or his mother’s role as a worship leader and assorted objects scattered throughout his childhood home became lasting points of reference, reflecting on his past to rediscover and reinterpret these influences in his creative practice.
His interest in visual art developed alongside a curiosity for music. He was known to travel everywhere with a sketchbook under his arm and played drums in church. “Playing drums as a kid helped get me into creativity,” he says, tracing a direct line between rhythm and composition. Some of his earliest sketches were of drum sets, an early lesson in form and spatial relationships.
After studying graphic design at UConn and attending Central Saint Martins in London for a short program, Rochester moved to Los Angeles in 2016. His first job in the city was with a fashion label, but he soon transitioned to freelance graphic design and illustration work, leveraging his growing audience on Instagram. “I got lucky,” he admits. “Building a following gave me confidence. People trusted my vision.”
In 2018, he turned to oil painting, drawn to its depth and control. “I tried to do a photorealistic piece with acrylic, but it just didn’t work,” he recalls. His current process is influenced by a technique closely associated with Titian, the 16th-century master of the Renaissance’s Venetian school. This technique involves a monochromatic underpainting before layering in color—a method that echoes how digital artists build depth with overlays. “It speeds up my workflow and keeps the values intact.”
His approach negotiates control and spontaneity. “I want to know exactly how a painting will look before I start,” he explains, though he’s working to loosen his grip. He recently began incorporating gestural techniques, moving beyond photorealism toward a new frontier. I’m learning to let it unfold naturally.”
His influences are myriad. The baleful shadowing of Baroque art, the compositional genius of Renaissance masters, and the clarity of contemporary photography all play roles in his work. “There’s something about high contrast and controlled chaos that I’m always drawn to,” he notes. His paintings explore that tension, deftly crafting cinematic works that lend a deeply personal sense.
Beyond fine art, Rochester channels his skills toward fashion via his brand, Construct. “It’s a way to make my ideas more accessible,” he says, translating his visual language into garments that maintain his attention to detail. Regarding his perspective on commercial work, “If I resonate with the brand, I’m open,” he says, citing artists like David Hockney, who moved fluidly between fine art and design. He views commercial projects not as concessions but as another means of expression. “A lot of my favorite artists have done major commercial projects. It’s about making it work on your terms.”
For now, Rochester is focused on his next solo show, happily trudging through the uncertainty that creative growth entails. “I’m always trying to figure out what I want to say in the art world. But maybe not figuring it out is the fun part.”
His advice for younger artists is simple: “Be obsessive about your craft. Research, practice, and trust that things will evolve. Learn to enjoy the process. If you don’t love it, it’s hard to sustain.”
Rochester’s work remains an evolving dialogue between tradition and innovation. Whether in music, painting, or design, his approach remains the same—absorb, refine, evolve.
