Brief Biography
A native of Miami, FL, Jelani K. Thomas uses his creative talents and knowledge of design to breathe life into his visual imagery. Mr. Thomas is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. (1995-1999), and produced the official logo for his alma mater in 1999. Mr. Thomas attended the Savannah College of Art and Design and was awarded a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration (2000-2002). In 2004-05 he was named the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District New Teacher of the Year. In 2013-2014 he received the Excellence in Teaching Award for the School of Humanities at Claflin University.
Mr. Thomas currently resides in Monrovia, CA. In addition to commissioned artwork and displaying at gallery shows, he has been a visual arts educator for 13 years. Mr. Thomas is excited about his ongoing development as an artist and arts educator.
Artist Statement
I find it important to analyze what surrounds us. Whether dealing with tangible forms or intangible ideals, interaction with our environment will influence the person we may become. Imagination is my instrument for deciphering what surrounds me, and my artwork is a device that I use to enhance environments.
While versed in a variety of art production methods, my preferred media are graphite and ink drawings, digital renderings, and water-based paintings. I enjoy observing forms and sketching them with a heightened essence or aesthetic. My work, however, has evolved from trying to skillfully reproduce what I see to communicating my experience concerning the things I am seeing.
Creating images solely from my mind is also a joy for me. My imaginings are theatrical and quite vividly displayed within my head. While drawing freely I aim to capture and share these visuals. Being an artist affords me the opportunity to express and depict my stories visually. I view the arts as essential endeavors, for they serve to make the truly valuable things in our world recognizable, desirable, and accessible.