Meet Jason Jimenez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Jimenez.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Some of my best childhood memories were in elementary school. I would sell my drawings of Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo characters to kids in class for lunch money.

Throughout middle school, breakdancing was my main hobby and I would practice with a crew called ‘LA Breakers’, and for six years I was a B-Boy in the underground Hip-Hop scene.

Although, just before the start of high school we moved out of LA to the high desert, then it all came to a halt. I didn’t breakdance as much and I started to draw more consistently.

I would spend most of my time drawing during class in high school and at home. However, after graduating I moved back to LA with my grandparents and hanging out late drinking with “friends” became a thing, and my motivation to draw was lost.

Eventually, my brother dragged me outta that scene and into a college so I could change my path toward a career that would utilize my talent instead of letting it go to waste.

In 2016 I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts & Graphic Design. I’m currently freelancing, designing beer labels and ads for local craft breweries such as Ohana Brewing Co. (located in Alhambra) and Alosta Brewing Co. (Covina).

Please tell us about your art.
I like to produce art that is visually aesthetic, but also obscure which conveys a sense of yearning, sorrow, and alienation.

I’ve always been interested in things that are mysterious in nature, as well as gothic stuff (vampires from Ann Rice), mythology, and eyes, especially, which I find to be most intriguing… I feel these things are what influence my art.

Most of my early drawings are of female fantasy characters. I would often illustrate smoke or other fluid elements to complement them. In my recent work, I create Photo compositions and combine traditional illustration with digital painting in Adobe Photoshop software. My process for a photo composition involves various techniques including, photo manipulation, color/tone matching, digital brush work and layering techniques.

See the beauty in that which is dark, and evoke an underlying connection with the subject matter.

Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Growing up in a financially challenged family affected my knowledge of art. I wasn’t exposed to art much and I didn’t know anything about it really, until I was in college doing research for assignments and going to my first museum at age twenty-six, a field trip in art history.

Not having my own room/space meant I was limited to a pencil and paper, unable to experiment with different mediums. Despite that, I gained a lot of experience from drawing and now with software like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, I can paint over my old drawings, turning them into a finished piece!

I’ve always had to work hard labor jobs in order to make ends meet, and never had a chance to devote my time for solely creating artwork as I wish I had. I would say If you are really passionate about your art, then don’t waste any time doing anything else. Make art your absolute number one priority.

Also, network network NETWORK! In this day and age if you don’t have some kind of following (social media and whatnot) it’s almost impossible to sell your art and make a living from it. As much as I was against social media, I regret not utilizing it as an avenue for exposure earlier.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Please visit my website or Instagram page.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jasonkdesigns.weebly.com
• Email: jasonkevindesigns@gmail.com
• Instagram: @elixrrxile

Image Credit:
Jason Kevin Designs

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