Meet Tyree Jones

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyree Jones.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Tyree. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Creativity is probably one of the earliest things I can remember connecting with in life. My mother is a hairstylist, so creativity ran rampant with her. When I was a small child, she would always take a small piece of paper and draw a doodle on it; sometimes a puppy, or a flower or a stick figure of me smiling. I’d watch her intensely, and I couldn’t help but think, “wow, she is an AMAZING artist.” I was always so impressed and I wanted to be just like her, so I figured I’d test the waters and try drawing myself.

It started with me searching online “how to draw a dog”. I followed the steps closely and boom, I had just drawn my FIRST dog. Then I drew a dragon, then I drew my favorite cartoon characters and faces! I’d be sitting in the break room at my mom’s hair salon drawing and I would walk to her booth with my new creation. “What do you think mom?” “hmmm, it looks great, but the eyes are too big.” That used to get me heated, but her honesty only pushed me to want to get better.

Fast forward to high school and academics were greatly appreciated at the school that I attended. I didn’t feel as though art was as important and because of that it became something that I hid. I would draw and close my sketchbook, and it’d never be seen again. It was drilled into my head that I needed calculus to go far, or that I’d never get into college without track. It didn’t seem like an art career was very supported. Then I began my first drawing class and had the most eccentric, textbook, old lady art teacher. She was fun, a little wacky and had a true passion for art. I truly connected with her because of that, and she ignited a fire in me that I didn’t know I had. Being an artist was something that I wanted for myself and because of her, I enrolled in college for a Bachelor’s in Fine Art.

From there, I still was a bit ashamed of what I loved to do and didn’t feel as though it would ever be lucrative. Support from loved ones has really helped me to start showing what I love to do to the world, and I feel as confident as ever about where I’m at and where I’m headed. Now I sell all kinds of work and have sent pieces from California to New York! It’s incredible being able to share my work and my voice with others and I’m excited to see where this road will take me.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course, it wasn’t a smooth road! I’ve faced a ton of obstacles ranging from rejection to loss of finances. I haven’t been able to finish my degree yet because I’ve had a hard time affording school. I’ve been rejected by plenty of people whose support I yearned for, and I’ve had multiple people think I was a straight-up joke. A lot of the time, I convinced myself that I would never be more than my low paying day job.

Of course, I had to let those problems and opinions slide off of my back, but when I was stuck facing them, they seemed so debilitating. I couldn’t create because of them, I lost confidence in who I was and what I could accomplish, and some days I even lost hope for anything positive in my future. I had to learn how to create through those hard times and think further ahead than my current situation. Problems are inevitable. I’ve come to the realization the perseverance is actually pretty foolproof; who knew it actually worked?

We’d love to hear more about your art.
I am a visual artist. I specialize in pen and ink work and oil paintings. I love my work because my style is dynamic and bold. I’m not afraid of bright colors, but also love the sophistication behind my black and grey and pencil work. What I’m most proud of in my work is that I’ve gone from not wanting to share my work with anyone, to people telling me that my work speaks to them and that they relate to it. I take commission work and enjoy selling my own creations.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I wouldn’t have held so many peoples’ opinions in such high regard. I also wouldn’t have compared myself to others so often. Everyone is so unique in their own right, and I let that stop me from pursuing so many opportunities.

Pricing:

• -“Grapefruit” $300
• -“Discord” $295
• -“Portrait” $75-175

Contact Info:

• Website: Tyreejoart.com
• Email: TyreeJonesart@gmail.com
• Instagram: @Tyreejoart

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