By Leo Whitman
Who are you and where did you come from? The internet was pretty sparse with facts about you.
My name is Jones. I was born in the Magic City, same as Sun Ra. Then I moved to Bat City, and then my family and I relocated to the Mile High City in 2015.
Tell us a bit about your process and where you draw inspiration for these crazy surreal images?
The images I make are inspired by the paranormal, NASA, antiquated techniques, science, the 1960s-1980s, Bob Ross, rock-n-roll, Bollywood, pulp magazines, MF DOOM, cults, vintage books, the Dirty South, tattoos, album covers, Tadanori Yokoo, reincarnation, Victor Moscoso, thunderstorms, Good Thoughts/Bad Thoughts, graffiti, cannabis, Sly Stone, the black flame, and loud music.
I sometimes have an idea of what I’m going for, most of the time it just happens. I get my head right, play some music, and let it rip. I am part archaeologist, part astronaut, part historian – the first step is finding the right ephemera to make the puzzle complete, like a DJ scouring dusty bins to make something entirely new.
Where can the public see your work besides on Instagram?
I was just part of a really fun, cool group show last month at Lumenati (“The Rose Show”), and currently have a grip of work up at Tooey’s Off Colfax – it will be up through April, you should check it out! I’m in talks about more shows this year, nothing locked in just yet. My work can also be found on the walls of many rad homes throughout Denver and Colorado. I’ve also got some apparel I designed for Standard Deluxe (a rad print shop/music venue in Alabama), with more on the way. I made a lot of art in ATX (legal & otherwise) – you can still see the giant mural my wife and I painted on Coldtowne Theatre.
What challenges do you face as an artist living in Denver?
It’s the same in Denver as in any city that’s worth a damn, I guess. It’s expensive to live, so you hustle and make it work. Art is just something I always do – I’ve got way more shit created than I could ever show. It’s a pressure release, it’s necessary and fun. I work full time as a graphic designer and have a part-time gig as an art framer – along with freelance work + creating my own art + raising a kid. Creation is important to me so I make it happen. I don’t have a studio – my house is my studio. My wife and I have been making art collaboratively and individually for years, and our work space/living space are one-in-the-same. For me that is important. It’s immersive.
What do you think we could be doing better as far as an arts community is concerned?
More low-brow galleries! More art with a rock-n-roll heart! Less pretense. Some in the community need an ego check – it’s only art, it’s not like you’re an astronaut or Bruce Lee. We’re all going to be dust one day anyway. “Free your mind and your ass will follow.” There also needs to be more wealthy benefactors that want to pay me wheelbarrows full of cash. Just kidding (slightly) – I have been very fortunate this past year, people have been very appreciative of my work and have supported me by adding my work to their walls. I am very grateful.
What are your plans for the future within your own work?
Now that the weather is finally warming up, our garage studio/workspace is beginning to thaw – I’m stoked to get
