Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista M. Jones (aka Jonesy).
Krista M., we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
It is definitely a challenge to write a brief summary about my story as an artist because it comprises 44 years of life. What I can tell you is that I have always identified as an artist. I was born in Dallas, Texas to a military family and although I was displaced every 3 years, it offered me a life slammed full of experiences and has made me resilient, persistent, adaptable and versatile. From my earliest memories I was drawing, painting, singing, playing music and creating things out of nothing. When I was kid I enjoyed climbing trees, making robot suits out of boxes, spoke multiple languages, spent time reflecting on the world at large and tearing apart calculators and phones to see how they worked (occasionally being able to reassemble them).
There was nothing extra special about my childhood artwork, it was much like everyone else in the beginning. Only difference was I kept doing it. Fortunately, my family has always been very supportive of my creativity and provided space for me to create, play music and perform. I made my first oil painting with my grandmother at age seven and by the time I was in 3rd grade I begin noticing a change in how others saw me, I was “the artist” in every class. I won my first ribbon for a drawing I did in some state fair around that time. Of course, it took me almost 33 more years before I decided to pursue this full-time. Just because someone is an artist, does not mean they know how to push past the narratives society has been telling them their whole life or how to actually make a living doing this work. It has taken a lot of obstacles, challenges, accomplishments, trial and error to get here.
I gained my BFA back in 2003 after some life challenges in between two different colleges. I have spent years exploring many different careers trying to figure out what fits and to gain life experience. Some of which included Tattoo Artist, Vet Technician, Travel Agent, Retail Sales Rep/Manager and Graphic Designer. When I came to Atlanta in 2007, I worked as a magazine designer until the economy tanked in 2008. After two layoffs back to back, I found myself selling my art on the streets of Little Five Points for almost a year to provide for myself and my family. Those dark years to follow lead to me leaving Atlanta to work through grief of losing my wife and to ¬heal. I returned back in 2015 with new purpose and lifestyle. I won’t go into details here, but I think it is important to be transparent and say that I’m a recovered addict. I say this to bring hope to those that think it is not possible to recover from a hopeless state. I am living proof anything is possible.
Coming back to Atlanta has been soul rewarding and empowering for me. About 2 years ago, I intentional quit my design job and decided to finally take on my art career full-time. Creative entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It is hard work to wear all the hats and then still manage to have time for inspiration to create concepts and the work itself. I may have gone to school, but no one taught me how to make art or an art career. I am just figuring it out as I go, guess we all are. I have spent the past 2 years immersed Atlanta’s arts and culture doing this. I am grateful for the community of creatives that have grown up around me during this short time.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I make what looks like art and feels like magic. I use a wide range of mediums and disciplines in my work, nothing is off limits. Some of which include photography, painting, illustration, murals, mixed media, graphic manipulation and sometimes music, and multi-media. I often combine these disciplines and sometimes they are hidden in the process of my work. For example, in a recent piece called “The Embrace”, I started with a reference photo of a female figure which I then graphically manipulated, used that as a reference for a 24”x36” painting on canvas called “Hold Me”. To expand the potential meaning of the work I then took process photos of the painting into photoshop and created a digital collage which became a secondary piece called “The Embrace”.
I do a lot of this multi layered back and forth during creation of my work. I love every part of the process, from the hours of research, conceptualizing, the layering, use graphic manipulation to create references for my paintings and then physically creating the work. It is more involved than most realize and cathartic. I also enjoy creating patterns in some of my work to provide elements of symbolism, texture and it is a form of meditation for me to make them. I began creating as a way to express myself and process my human experience of life. Art has been a form of self-reflection, processing and healing for me.
I’ve explored several different styles and techniques over the years and sometimes I revisit them. If you follow my work, you’ll notice I have three very distinct styles that I work within. Each particular type provides a unique experience and form of processing for me as an artist and as a human being. These different styles are most noticeable between my pen and ink illustrations, public murals and works on canvas. Although it’s not traditional, I have chosen to embrace this multi-faceted way of working because it is authentic to my experience of life. I am fluid in all areas of life and art is no different. There is however a common thread throughout all of my work. That is symbolism and figurative representation. From my bright patterns to my dark portraits, here is always a hidden message in the images and colors I chose. I spent many years doing self-portraits as a form of healing and I have found that when I illustrate an animal or human being, I am directly tapping into their energy. It’s a way for me to learn and understand through the eyes of an observer.I am a mixed media artist that uses animal imagery, patterns, self-portraiture and figurative elements to express observation of the human experience.
My main focus recently has been public murals and studio practice. With muraling, I enjoy community engagement, collaboration, patterns and vibrant colors which is definitely a contrast to my darker more reflective studio practice. My new large body of work called “Pulling Light from the Darkness” is revisiting older techniques and topics around trauma and healing. This is made up of several series that include mixed media pieces and large canvas paintings, with a vision of textile installation components.
One of the series under this called SPECTRUM which focuses on topics of gender identity and expression and also explores emotion, expression, trauma, and healing. As a queer, gender fluid-¬ female identifying person it is important for me to express and explore these topics. I am intentionally using dark backgrounds in this series to pull the figures out of the background in order to invoke a particular emotion. Another large series is called Crow and the Thread. This work is about oppression, empowerment, ancestry and spiritual connection. I am using both figurative elements and reference to actual crows that keep showing up in my life. This animal messenger reminds us of life magic, adaptability, personal transformation, alchemy, higher-perspective, fearlessness and community. We can learn valuable lessons from observing the animal world, if we listen.
My art has always been a form of healing for me and I hope that sharing it will provide awareness and healing for others. As I put my intention, heart, and energy into the work I believe that magic is felt whether someone knows it or not.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
Yes. Immerse yourself. Go to all the art shows, meet people, create every day, set aside fears of not being good enough and just get to work.
I’m actually an introvert at heart who has adapted and developed a skill in how I show up world, so I can connect with others. I practiced this over years just like art and meditation. Remember, anything you practice you will inevitably get good at. I have found that just showing up and connecting with other like-minded creatives has been the most amazing part of this journey. I now have several groups of creatives that come together to bounce ideas, collaborate, expand and scaffold each other. Collaborative energy is what has momentum and sustainability. The only person I compete with now, is myself. As a studio artist, I often get tunnel vision and need to step outside of myself to be present for others without expectation. This has helped me meet new people, create friendships, learn new skills and get out of my head. Not everyone is built for being a full-time artist or entrepreneur. If you want to do this full-time, I suggest explore all the possible ways to learn how to be sustainable. Connect with people that are doing what you want to do and organizations that help artists like C4 Atlanta, AIGA, WonderRoot, and Alternate Roots to name a few. Oh yeah, and prepare to have a thick skin, don’t take rejection personally. It comes with the territory in this industry, allow it to empower you and add more resilience. Move on to the next thing quickly.
Only lesson I wish I had learned earlier in life is don’t be so serious all the time, play is important in sustaining creative energy. Other than that, everything I’ve experienced has lead me here and for that I am grateful. We are each unique gift and have something special to offer this world. Get out there and be your most authentic self. The world needs you.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I show my work around Atlanta multiple times a year and if you follow me you will see my event postings. My public art work can be seen in person in South Downtown Atlanta, Downtown Decatur, L5P and several areas in Old Fourth Ward. To find locations of these small and large murals and to see my current body of work please visit my website www.jonesyartatl.com
If you like what I do and want to be a part of what creates sustainability for me as a full-time artist, purchasing my work is one of the best ways to do this. I am also open to patrons and donations to help fund my new body of work. I enjoy sharing about my process and vision with those that are interested in learning more and private studio visits can be arranged. I am in process of creating an easier way to purchase through my website, but currently you will have to email me at jonesyartatl@gmail.com for commissions and purchases. There is also a link for contact on my Instagram if you see something you like there.
Contact Info:
- Website: jonesyartatl.com
- Phone: 678-827-1465
- Email: jonesyartatl@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jonesyartatl
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jonesyartatl
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonesyartatl
Image Credit:
Krista M. Jones
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