Darin Jones, Background detail: 'Coil'
ARTIST STATEMENT
Art is a serendipitous journey for me. It is the result of emotional connections I make from my observations and experiences in life. My vision is to create art that inspires and connects with people around the world. I do this by capturing the essence of the human form through photo-realism in graphite portraits and through abstraction—incorporating vibrant, colorful, geometric elements in acrylic.
My inspiration begins when I see or hear things that provoke deep emotions—from the intoxicating music, whimsical costumes and makeup of Las Vegas circus shows, to the pungent, juicy reds, oranges, and yellows of the autumn leaves—contrasted with the wet, charcoal asphalt or the bright, blue sky. These ideas then take form by sketching my emotions and developing them into a physical creation. Oftentimes, I begin a piece of art with specific intentions, and then, while creating “in the moment”, a revelation sparks within, and the piece takes on a new, impulsive direction. People characterize my art as: striking, alive, authentic, powerful, beautiful, magical, and “emotional imagery”1.
For years, I have been largely influenced and inspired by artists: Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, and Walt Disney. As Matisse so boldly expressed, “Creativity takes courage”, I am courageously delving into simplifying my work into abstract designs—using color to express my emotions—allowing free interpretation and application of the messages and meanings that arise for the observer. Mixed media, texture, and blind contour (drawing either from a reference--without looking at the paper, or simply with my eyes closed) are only some of the methods and techniques in which I am pursuing. Throughout my artistic, serendipitous journey, I create with courage, passion, perception, honesty, and, most importantly, from my heart.
1Andrew Binder, Centennial Hills’ Magazine, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 2007
Art is a serendipitous journey for me. It is the result of emotional connections I make from my observations and experiences in life. My vision is to create art that inspires and connects with people around the world. I do this by capturing the essence of the human form through photo-realism in graphite portraits and through abstraction—incorporating vibrant, colorful, geometric elements in acrylic.
My inspiration begins when I see or hear things that provoke deep emotions—from the intoxicating music, whimsical costumes and makeup of Las Vegas circus shows, to the pungent, juicy reds, oranges, and yellows of the autumn leaves—contrasted with the wet, charcoal asphalt or the bright, blue sky. These ideas then take form by sketching my emotions and developing them into a physical creation. Oftentimes, I begin a piece of art with specific intentions, and then, while creating “in the moment”, a revelation sparks within, and the piece takes on a new, impulsive direction. People characterize my art as: striking, alive, authentic, powerful, beautiful, magical, and “emotional imagery”1.
For years, I have been largely influenced and inspired by artists: Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, and Walt Disney. As Matisse so boldly expressed, “Creativity takes courage”, I am courageously delving into simplifying my work into abstract designs—using color to express my emotions—allowing free interpretation and application of the messages and meanings that arise for the observer. Mixed media, texture, and blind contour (drawing either from a reference--without looking at the paper, or simply with my eyes closed) are only some of the methods and techniques in which I am pursuing. Throughout my artistic, serendipitous journey, I create with courage, passion, perception, honesty, and, most importantly, from my heart.
1Andrew Binder, Centennial Hills’ Magazine, Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec. 2007
'Coil' 24in. x 48in. Acrylic
BIOGRAPHY
Darin Jones’ paintings and graphite portraiture have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and festivals in New York, Nevada, and Utah--including CRG Gallery, New York, NY; First Friday Arts Festival, Las Vegas, NV; Palmer’s Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT; (A)perture Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT; Utah Pride Festival, Salt Lake City, UT; and Red Feather Creations Art Festival, Murray, UT.
In addition, his work is in private collections throughout the United States, including Arizona, New Hampshire, New Jersey, California, and Utah.
Mr. Jones has been featured on Utah’s Channel 4 News and published in various periodicals including Centennial Hills’ Magazine, Las Vegas, NV; Davis County Clipper, Davis County, UT; Q Salt Lake Magazine, Salt Lake City, UT; and the international magazine, European Homes and Gardens.
Darin Jones was born in Murray, Utah, in 1972. He received a B.F.A. with honors from Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Darin Jones’ paintings and graphite portraiture have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and festivals in New York, Nevada, and Utah--including CRG Gallery, New York, NY; First Friday Arts Festival, Las Vegas, NV; Palmer’s Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT; (A)perture Gallery, Salt Lake City, UT; Utah Pride Festival, Salt Lake City, UT; and Red Feather Creations Art Festival, Murray, UT.
In addition, his work is in private collections throughout the United States, including Arizona, New Hampshire, New Jersey, California, and Utah.
Mr. Jones has been featured on Utah’s Channel 4 News and published in various periodicals including Centennial Hills’ Magazine, Las Vegas, NV; Davis County Clipper, Davis County, UT; Q Salt Lake Magazine, Salt Lake City, UT; and the international magazine, European Homes and Gardens.
Darin Jones was born in Murray, Utah, in 1972. He received a B.F.A. with honors from Utah State University, Logan, UT.