Jackie Schuld PorTfolio
I explore psychological topics through a combination of visual art and essays. I share my art/essay combinations on Medium. There is a collection of 1300+ essays that can be seen there. I also develop series on specific topics, which can be seen below. Many of my series develop into books, of which there are seven.
Series: Finding Personal power in challenging times
This series began at my artist residency at Skogshyddan in Skogby, Finland, in December 2025 - January 2026. I chose to attend at the darkest, coldest time of year to explore how I, an autistic individual, find personal power in challenging times. Without internet or contact with others, I spent the residency in quiet reflection. I filled 650 pages of my art journals with art and written words. I carved 50+ stamps that symbolized different elements of personal power. The majority of my art and writing was for myself, but I wrote 10 essays for the public. Below is a sample of my work.
Essays
Why I, an autistic, chose to spend Christmas alone
How do I write about my personal life and still be a mental health therapist?
My autism diagnosis was reduced to a trend
Series: How Do We make time to take care of the earth?
This series began at my artist residency at The Fish Factory in Stöðvarfjörður, Iceland in September 2025. I interviewed 25+ locals, artist residents, researchers, and tourists about how they find time take care of the earth amongst the demands of life. I then made 100+ pieces of artwork and wrote 15 essays in response to the interviews. I painted on discarded materials with handmade watercolor paints and ink. Below is a sample of my work.
Essays
What will it take to save our earth?
Does it matter to be an environmentalist today?
How do people become interested in environmental change?
How do I actually make time to care for the earth?
How play could save the environment
Taking care of your own mental health is the first step to taking care of the earth
Series: How Do We Respond to Sexual Violence?
This series began at my artist residency at GRACIA in Antigua, Guatemala in June 2025. I selected this artist residency because 24 years prior, I was sexually assaulted in Antigua. I returned to the city to explore how I responded to sexual violence, and how we as a society respond. I wrote 15 essays and completed 50+ pieces of artwork. I created handmade watercolor paints and painted on pages of discarded books and material. Below is a sample of some of my work.
Essays
How do we respond to sexual violence?
I am here to raise men from the dead
What we need from our parents after sexual assault
How Christianity made my assault worse
Living expansively after trauma
Series: I See You
This series began at my artist residency at Arteles in Haukijärvi, Finland in March 2025. My residency occurred within a month of Trump returning to office in 2025. My series explored the parallels between Trump's politics and my upbringing in a Christian cult and patriarchal structures. I wrote 10+ essays and made 100+ pieces of artwork. I used the time to experiment with my artwork. I worked in multiple mediums (ink, clay, watercolor, etc.) in varying sizes and materials (discarded butcher paper, notebook, blank tickets, etc.). Below is a sample of some of my work.
