self defined

Urban Expressionist

“My art explores the possibility of beauty outside of societally norms. God gave it to me as "Afrocentric Abstract Realism". I'm inspired to depict the unique beauty that is urban life. I hope it evokes you to seek something uniquely beautiful in everyone, everywhere. ~Michelle Jones

Artist Process

"I'm very much a mixed media artist. The mixed media portion of my process is my absolutely favorite time in entire process. I am the freest Me in those moment of time!

Typically my pieces start with a sketch of the subject and collage paper adhered to canvas or sometimes, just molding paste is used to began adding texture. After that I'm all about building abstract layers with spray paint, ink, markers and stencils.. with these materials I can create drippy paint, splattered paint, and all sorts of marks, heavily inspired by graffiti art. Incorporating different forms of line and pattern, the brightest of neon colors and even metallics, in my abstract work.

I then start to roughly pull my subject forward, it's usually my initial use of paint brush in my process. I will go back in forth reinforcing my abstract and subject until the piece is about 85- 90% done, finishing the final 10-15% of the piece with oil paint." -Michelle Jones

"And now I see the pretty colors on my canvas. I'm a work of Art, a Mona Lisa. I'll share my picture with the world. Not afraid to let it show anymore."

Jazmine Sullaivan (Masterpiece)