Jacob Meders began creating artwork as a child, but it wasn’t until his late 20s that he realized he could do it for a living. One thing that didn’t stop him from living his dream was his dyslexia.
In high school, people didn’t understand that Meders had dyslexia. He struggled in school and his grades reflected that, so when he wanted to go to art school, people told him his grades weren’t good enough.
Despite urges from a professor in Santa Fe that admired his work, Meders delayed art school until later, but he kept creating and exhibiting his work on his own.
Meders eventually went back to school and earned his MFA from Arizona State University, and he currently does exhibits all across the world. His work reflects Native American tradition — he is a member of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, California — blended with modern influences, and frequently uses bird imagery and native symbols.
Be sure to check out our feature on another famous dyslexic artist from Arizona, Malcolm Alexander.