The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley is thrilled to continue our Featured Artist Series, shining a spotlight on one of our remarkable local artists. These profiles appear across our social media, website, and in the newspaper, celebrating the creativity thriving in our community.
This installment highlights Jack Duckworth, an acrylic painter whose lifelong creativity first took root in high school under the guidance of an inspiring art teacher. His work reflects a deep appreciation for flow, storytelling, and the simple joy of the creative process.
Duckworth’s path has been anything but linear. Alongside his artistic pursuits, he pursued an extensive academic career, earning a Bachelor of Music, Diplomas of Christian Studies, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry. After a hiatus dedicated to advanced education and family life, he spent several years teaching practical theology overseas in Ukraine, Armenia, the Netherlands, and Haiti. Following his retirement, he and his wife settled in Nanaimo in 2016, where his passion for painting was reignited.
Drawn to the colours, rhythms, and atmosphere of landscapes, seascapes, and village scenes, Jack finds continual inspiration in the rugged beauty of the West Coast. Although he began working in oils, his practice evolved toward acrylic painting, a medium that better suited his style and creative energy.
For Jack, the act of creating is immersive in the truest sense. There is both a sense of disappearing in the work and real joy in completing a piece successfully. He describes losing himself and his sense of time as a new painting takes shape, and when a piece comes together in a way he deems successful, the result is a deep sense of satisfaction. That relationship between presence and outcome is at the heart of what keeps him at the easel.
His process is thoughtful and full, from start to finish. Each piece travels with him from choosing the subject, to prepping the canvas, sketching the outlines, and working up the colours and composition. For Jack, every stage of that journey calls for creativity, not just the final strokes.
Now firmly rooted in Nanaimo with family nearby, Duckworth has fully embraced his artistic journey. His work captures both place and narrative, inviting viewers to connect with familiar coastal environments through his expressive and thoughtful compositions.
When asked what advice he would give to emerging artists, Jack shared:
“The number one piece of advice is to keep at it, take classes, check out books by your favourite artists, and never get discouraged. We all make messes.”
Jack is based in Nanaimo, BC, and his work can be found at a number of locations across Vancouver Island and beyond. His ongoing pieces are shown at Rainforest Gallery (9781 Willow St, Chemainus, rainforestarts.ca), Artisans Studios (70 Bastion St, Nanaimo, facebook.com/ArtisansStudio), The Old School House Arts Centre in Qualicum (122 Fern Rd, theoldschoolhouse.org), Real Food Cafe (321 Wesley St #3, Nanaimo), The Owl’s Nest Bakery and Bistro (18 High St, Ladysmith), The Ladysmith Museum (721 First Ave, Ladysmith), and Bocca Cafe (427 Fitzwilliam St #103, Nanaimo). Upcoming shows are also scheduled at Cafe Fantastico in Victoria and Swayne Creek Cidery (2132 Swayne Rd, Errington). A full portfolio and updated list of locations can be found at jackduckworthartist.com.
Follow our social media, website, and check the newspaper to discover the next incredible local artist in the Featured Artist Series!
