ABOUT THE
ARTIST
ABOUT
My name is Jacinta Specht and I am a primarily self-taught traditional artist. I principally work with graphite, acrylic and oil paint mediums but I am also experienced in graphic design. My favorite art subject and medium is graphite portraits. I have mostly used my passion for art as a hobby during my undergraduate studies and graduate school.
Art and Science
Martial Arts
In addition to art, I received my Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Calgary in 2018. Currently, I'm a graduate student at the University of Calgary with a focus on neuroscience (brain) imaging research (fMRI) in aging populations after surgery. Starting Fall 2021, I will be attending the University of Alberta to start Medical School.
My passion for MMA stems from starting Shotokan Karate at 5 years old. I went on to get my 3rd degree black belt and compete in over 50 tournaments, including winning gold, silver and bronze World Championship medals for Kata in several organizations.
After starting University, I wanted to expand my martial arts experience to become more well-rounded. I start Brazilian Jiujitsu in 2019 and have fell in love with it ever since!
Gallery Pictures
What I Do and Notable Commission Work
I create traditional realism art. The classic art that you know what it is the minute you see it. The kind of art you need to frame. I make it a priority to make art that has such specific fine detail but in a way that still keeps its unique art essence without becoming a photograph.
I take inspiration from renaissance artists and use that to create high contrast art that utilises hatching, stumping and sfumato techniques to trick the eye into thinking the 2D is 3D.
My art has been entered into art contests and I have been awarded some small but notable commissions including being chosen as a finalist for the 2015 Game of Thrones: The Compendium; designing traffic light controllers for the City of Medicine Hat, Alberta; and commissioned for a memorial portrait drawing for the grain elevator in Acadia Valley, Alberta, Canada.
In addition my Leon Draisaitl graphite portrait was featured on Sportsnet's Hocket Night in Canada "After Hours" ft. Leon Draisaitl with Scott Oake and Louie DeBrusk on October 28, 2017. The broadcast featured my time-lapse of the drawing, which can be found on my YouTube channel.
I combine my passion for MMA with my passion for art. Attending UFC Events I have met several UFC fighters, some of which have signed my drawings, including Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Georges St. Pierre, Israel Adesanya, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson.
My proudest achievement so far has been being commissioned by my favorite UFC Fighter, Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Recently I was commissioned by the former UFC Strawweight Champion to do three acrylic paintings. Two of the paintings were posted on her social media in September 2020.
I have also partnered with Local UFC Fighter, Hakeem Dawodu to make his team t-shirt designs. I also have work that is owned by female Invicta MMA fighter, Serena DeJesus and top UFC bantamweight fighter, Cory Sandhagen.