Interview: Artist Kim Jones

Painting Weirdness with Photoshop

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By Christine Stoddard
QuailBellMagazine.com

What is your creative background? When did you first fall in love with art? Did you receive any special art education? What unusual experiences, like fellowships or seminars, have you had as an artist? Have you been awarded any art honors?

My art path has not been traditional. As a kid, I loved sketching, drawing, etc. In high school, I spent all of my time in the art room where I was fortunate enough to have John Morrow as an instructor. After high school I went my own way. It took me 10+ years to finally get any sort of college degree. I spent most of that time moving around, traveling, making jewelry, working at coffee houses and environmental groups, hopping freight trains, just generally being free spirited. When I finally got around to being a bit more serious about school, my focus was graphic design and literature. 

Today, I'm a full time freelancer working mainly on book design. Art plays a part in that, of course, but I also do art shows and participate in Atlanta's emerging artist scene. I'd have to say that the best moments are when the books and art come together. For example, I just did two covers for Bearport Publishing's Scary Places series: Wretched Ruins & Dark Labyrinths and that rocked!  

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Why do you work in the realm of fairytales/fantasy/magical realism?

I work in the realm of fairytales/fantasy/magical realism because it strikes the truest cord of who I am...who most people are, I believe. Story/narrative is the basis of how we function in the world--it's just how the brain works. Any sort of art based on myth (fantasy, fairytales, etc. ) is the story that goes beyond the surface of things. And that's my goal--to get beyond the surface. 

What are your favorite subjects?

I'm open to all subjects--if it's dark, moody, and magical, I love it. However, most  of my influences and favorite subjects can be found in literature--every thing from Hesse to deLint.

Please describe the process behind your work.

The concept usually originates from a dream, a story, myth, legend, etc. I usually start with a rough sketch, scope out the right photos which come from a variety of sources, and then throw them all in Photoshop and manipulate till I'm happy with the result. 

Anything else you would like to add?

Nooooo, I think that sums it up!

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