Jack Carlton

Girard - Jack Carlton's story unfolds like his art. Shaped and layered with rich and varied experiences that inform his work with images, languages, and methods that became entirely his own. He was a vagabond at heart. Traveling from one place, one medium, one idea to another throughout much of his illustrious career. He lived and worked in Morocco, parts of Maine, Ohio and the city of Boston, with short stays in New York City, in between, while making, teaching and selling art to move on to the next place he should be. Carlton thus exhibited extensively throughout these regions and beyond, finding places for his work in public and private collections in the United States, Europe, and North Africa. He was commissioned by the Vietnamese architect to King Hussein II to portray the Mausoleum of the King's father, taught art and English overseas, and created outdoor exhibitions in galleries and neighborhoods across the world. He earned his sculpture and painting degrees from Kent State University and a MFA in printmaking from the School of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Tufts University. Carlton described his work as a response to the changing world around him, a personal diary of what he was thinking about or what was happening in the world today, tomorrow and yesterday. " I work out ideas in sculpture, painting, printmaking and artist books," he said. Often produced in series, many of these works were premised by social issues, current events and political activism, touching the artist in some way. While Carlton settled into older age in Girard, Ohio, his approach to art-making still wandered like a young man pursuing a dream. Jack Carlton is survived by his wife, Paula Jasper, sister, Sally Curl, nephews David and Phillip Curl, grand nieces and nephews, Morgan, Phillip, David, Lauren and Nicholas, and the many people his life and art touched. There will be a celebration of Jack Carlton's life held at Dorian Books in Youngstown on Sunday, December 9th, 2:00 PM (potluck-b.y.o.b). Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any condolences to the family.