The goal of my art is to capture authentic experiences in a society that is increasingly filled with artifice and faux luxury. For many of us, reality is less about the pursuit of happiness than the avoidance of anxiety and suffering. I attempt to do so by creating images that depict sublime moments, objects and scenes of beauty, as well as noteworthy people who have contributed to society or my own life in a meaningful way.


I’m inspired by the simplicity of iconography and its ability to reduce an idea or subject to its essence, focusing on a primary characteristic or inherent truth. I choose limited palettes to emphasize specific color relationships and accentuate the shapes and lines of my compositions.


My style employs a flat, illustrative approach that favors a lack of brushstrokes, mimicking the perfection possible with a machine or printed process, while allowing the imperfection inherent in the human hand to remain present and unmistakable.


My hope is to invite the viewer to look deeper into the picture, both metaphorically into the subject matter, as well as physically into the execution of the painting, to wonder whether it was produced by man or machine. I aim to provide the audience with a depth of experience, encouraging them to get close to the work and wonder not only 'why was this done?' but also 'how was this done?'

Describe your art in three words.

Illustrative, meticulous, sublime

Describe yourself in one word.

Maker

What do you love the most about creating art in your community?

Nola is a unique place, full of creative people who let their eccentricities shine and are appreciated for our contributions to the local culture. 

What particular part of your immediate environment, in your neighborhood specifically, influences your work?

Living in the Irish Channel, near the Garden District, has provided me with the best evening walks ever. I am surrounded by beauty and opulence, inspiring me to capture moments I experience, be it the ever-present live oaks or the yearly blooming of Japanese magnolias. 

Describe your creative process. Are there any rituals or rites of passage you exercise before you begin a new piece?

My work is heavily process driven. Each piece starts as a digital vector illustration in Adobe Illustrator, where I meticulously plan the composition, shapes, and color palette. I then spend a night cleaning out ALL of my plastic paint jars... (rituals!), followed by a one to two days pre-mixing all paints for the piece. Finally, I complete the painted piece in stages, painting sets of colors usually 5 of 6 at a time, each color getting at least two coats of paint. It is a labor intensive process, but the results are worth the effort. 

Where do you draw inspiration?

My environment and people who have made an impact in the world and on my life.

Who are your artistic influences or gurus?

Roy Lichtenstein, Shepard Fairey, John Singer Sargent

What is something people don’t know about you? A fun fact.

In my day job I build websites (managing a dev team), and I've also released 4 albums of electronic music (three are on Spotify as Sophrosyne).

All works listed online are available to be viewed by appointment at Where y’Art Works Gallery or artist's studio visit.

To purchase an original contact me through Where Y'art message, by email, Instagram DM or text.

Canvas prints, watercolor-paper prints and info on originals can be found on jvpfineart.com

Please allow 7 -14 days shipping for standard orders. Packages are shipped only within the Continental United States, typically through FedEx, with Tracking. For rush orders or commissions, login and send me a private message through the messaging tool on my profile page.