Mark Russell Jones
September 19th - October 20th
Mark Russell Jones
Mark Russell Jones is an artist based in the Central Coast of California. Born in 1968 in the rich agricultural and wine growing region of Santa Maria, he received his BFA with Distinction in Painting from the California School of Arts and Crafts in Oakland in 1995.
Jones’ solo exhibition titled ‘Sacred Synergy’ is his first since returning to the Santa Barbara area after a hiatus of living and working abroad and a year in rural Texas.
Jones’ early experiences on his father's ranch played a pivotal role in shaping both his identity and artistic expression. Growing up, he spent much of his time working on the land, an experience that instilled in him a strong work ethic and a connection to the natural world, which he continues to draw upon in his paintings. His memories of the scenery around his small town, including the sand dunes and vast horizons, have inspired many of his artistic creations.
Sacred Synergy
In Mark Russell Jones’ latest series of works, the theme of ‘Sacred Synergy’ emerges as a profound exploration of the interconnectedness between nature and human existence. His minimal paintings in this series are characterized by large fields of color and deceptively simple compositions. The canvases are built upon multiple layers of unseen hues, blending into a rich and vibrant layer of luminous surfaces. His evocative, meditative paintings, like dark mirrors, invite the viewer into an inner space for introspection and existential contemplation.
Jones aims to distill his art to its essential emotional experience, believing in color's potential to express complex human emotions. By stripping away extraneous details and depictions, he creates a direct connection between the viewer and the canvas, seeking to elicit feelings of awe and visceral experience.
Jones thoughtful use of color is central to this spiritual connection. He believes that different colors evoke distinct psychological responses, and he purposely combines complex hues to elicit emotional reactions. The scale of his paintings enhances this immersive quality, enveloping viewers and fostering visceral responses.
Through themes of hope and redemption, informed by his own Catholic upbringing, Russell’s work encourages individuals to confront their existential concerns while finding meaning within the unseen. Ultimately, his minimal paintings serve as poignant meditations on existence, bridging art and spirituality, and highlighting the enduring ability of art to connect us to deeper personal truths.
Mark’s vision stimulates another way of viewing science. Through his art, he snatches us out of everyday reality, habitual ways of thinking, and usual places and immerses us in ancient rememberings.
We’re so used to focusing on information as the primary way to drive connection and action. When the vehicle is art, the connection is emotional - resonating at a deeper, more personal level. By engaging the heart first, meaningful inspiration and action naturally follow.
When I first saw “Sacred Synergy” and his use of primary colors blended with clouds and parallel lines, it resonated with me at a cellular level. Reminding me of my perfectionist tendencies balanced with a deep desire to feel and experience. Our dreams, like clouds, are necessary to water the fertile ground beneath, to nurture the soil where authentic creation can bloom. -Alana Mooi.
