Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniele Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Daniele, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Feeling creative is what makes me feel alive! I feel most happy is when I’m in a flow state – whether it’s figuring out the next brushstroke on a painting, out on the water paddle boarding, trail riding on my bike, designing a website, or just improvising in the kitchen. Artistically, I often set up a series of challenges to be figured out later. These challenges are what makes the process interesting and keeps me thinking about what the next best thing to try would be. The continuous state of improvising and experimenting makes my brain and heart light up!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’ve been in graphic design for many years and have surprisingly enjoyed the left-brain side of it as much as the right-brain parts.
I also create commissioned pet portraits for people all over the world! It has been such an honor to commemorate these furry friends. People absolutely adore their pets and I am continuously humbled and honored when they choose me to make a portrait for them. Lots and lots of happy tears in this part of my artistic career.
My most recent endeavor has been abstract/non-objective art. It was a much bigger challenge than I would have ever expected! It has opened up a feeling limitless potential for me. To start with a blank canvas, ephemera, paint, and tools and end up with an artwork that speaks to a viewer is just magical to me!
I am thrilled to have solo and group shows booked for most of the next year! I’ll be everywhere from McKinney to Burleson. The next two are solo shows – one hosted by AM Gallery in Lewisville, Texas in December and the other is in the Historic Cottonmill in McKinney, Texas hosted by the Visual Arts League of Allen. I would love to see everyone’s shining faces at those shows!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Grit – the ability to ignore naysayers, whether they’re external or internal and just keep on doing and making.
Satisfaction – I’ve learned to seek satisfaction rather than happiness in everything. I brings a sense of calm and contentment that I crave.
Discipline – just do the thing if you want to or not. Art is a practice – life is a practice. To get better at anything takes consistent practice. The quote by Picasso “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working” ring so true to me.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
The biggest challenge I face right now is managing time. I want to do All The Things – design, make realistic art, make abstract art, assemblage art, teach, ride bikes, paddle board, do yoga! I have so many ideas and there simply is not enough time to fit them all in. I’ve been narrowing my focus for a few years and feel delighted about the progress I’ve made artistically. The abstract paintings have made my realistic artwork better and vice versa, that was an unexpected benefit.
My other significant challenge is just getting out. I love spending time at home and in my studio. I’m a natural introvert and can happily spend all day in my studio, emerging in the wee hours feeling satisfied even if my back is achy. I find it challenging to talk about my artwork and I feel like I don’t always know what it’s about. I know that I love and crave the physical movement, problem solving and experimentation required to bring it into being, but I find it difficult to express that verbally, not to mention the myriad thoughts swirling through me as I work. I find that mystery fascinating also.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danielejones.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielejonesart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielejonesart
- Other: My pet portrait website is: https://petable-portraits.com and our design business is at https://jozeedesigns.com
