Meet the Artist: Todd Jones
In preparation for Wild Goose Creative’s December 2019 Gallery Show — Introspection, we sat down with the artist Todd Jones to discuss the show.
Todd Jones is an experimental artist working with painting, drawing, and sculpture. He is using a combination of traditional and modern techniques to explore the application of paint. Todd takes an experimental approach to new materials, manipulating them in unique ways to gain a better understanding of their limitations.
What inspired the show title?
My psychology background inspired the name of the show. I am interested in the internal workings of the self and the mind along with the psychology of personality and how it can relate to color.
What materials are you currently experimenting with?
My work is moving into abstraction, which I am experimenting with through paintings with translucent surfaces, such as screen and fabric. I am also interested in sculpting with dried up paint known as paint skins in order to create more 3-D work.
How important is color when it comes to your work?
Color and the underlying meanings of colors play a huge role in my art. In order to further develop my work, I began studying how color relates to personality and incorporated this into my portraits. The hues are selected to define the personalities of each subject and reveal the internal self. The use of colors on each individual is a short visual summary of prominent characteristics. This approach allowed me to infuse my work and research into creating personality portraits.
In your experience would you say that the art of painting is a constant battle between control and spontaneity?
Yes, and I try to demonstrate this in my work. I was drawn to the process of paper marbling for this very reason. What I love about this process is the inability to replicate the same design. In my mind, every piece is a collaboration between the marbling and myself. With this method, I combined the process of marbling with my portraiture in order to bring more visual interest to my work. My realistic renderings could be juxtaposed with the organic patterns of the paper marbling. A dialogue is created between controlled watercolor and the unexpected outcomes of marbling, giving the work a mind of its own. I plan to continue experimenting with this idea of control versus spontaneity, even as I develop into different bodies of work.
Do you have any advice for artists that might be struggling with regards to the previous question?
Allow yourself to let go. It’s not easy, but when you get there it’s worth it. Not all work has to have a sense of control. Be vulnerable and step out of your comfort zone. Some of the best work is created unexpectedly. For myself, finding a process that required me to relinquish control opened me up to new possibilities for my work.
What is you favorite activity this time of year?
I love sitting around a fire whether it is around a campfire or a fireplace while enjoying the cooler weather.
