When we last put the spotlight on 100 creative forces in Phoenix, it was no secret there were more than 100 individuals who were making waves in the local arts community. So as we count down to our annual Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome (back) to 100 Creatives.
See also: Jason Rudolph Peña For Team Coco
Jason Rudolph Peña is a Phoenix native whose mother is a second second generation Phoenician and father is a fifth generation Arizonan.
He says he's currently diving into the traditional illustration field and working with more art directors -- he just finished creating album artwork for the South Sudanese rapper and former child soldier, Emmanuel Jal and is also working on a book of portraits drawn entirely in ballpoint pen. "You don't need expensive art supplies to create art," he says.
I came to Phoenix with . . . a placenta, umbilical cord, and a dream.
I make art because . . . I am a lonely eccentric possessed by anxiety with a heart full of love and it is my way of giving and receiving some semblance of affection while avoiding relationships and awkward situations. Art is fun to create too.
I'm most productive when . . . it is least convenient for everyone else.
My inspiration wall is full of . . . my own paintings, photos of my son, and an Audrey Hepburn poster that a friend gave to me. My paintings inspire me to become better. My son's photos motivate me to work harder. Audrey Hepburn reminds me that my art is nothing without grace and elegance.
I've learned the most from . . . library books. The library contains an underestimated wealth of free knowledge. My most valuable lessons in art have been from a library book.
Good work should always . . . inspire you to create or become better.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more . . . art supply stores and portraits created by me.
The Creatives, so far ... (And while you're here, check out 100 Tastemakers on Chow Bella.)
100:Lara Plecas 99. Isaac Caruso 98. Brandon Gore 97. Kelsey Dake 96. Hector Ruiz 95. Caroline Battle 94: Jennifer Campbell 93. Jeff Chabot 92. Tiffiney Yazzie 91. Daniel Germani 90. Irma Sanchez 89. Daniel m. Davis 88. Kirstin Van Cleef 87. Emmett Potter 86. Sarah Hurwitz 85. Christine Cassano 84. Fred Tieken 83. Lindsay Kinkade 82. Ruben Galicia 81. Robert Uribe 80. Heidi Abrahamson 79. Josephine Davis 78. Travis Ladue 77. Taz Loomans 76. Mikey Jackson 75. Alex Empty 74. Joe Ray 73. Carol Roque 72. Daniel Funkhouser 71. Carla Chavarria 70. Hugo Medina 69. Cavin Costello 68. Claire Carter 67. Lindsay Tingstrom 66. Catherine Ruane 65. Christopher Crosby 64. Aaron Johnson 63. Brenda Eden 62. Colton Brock 61. Ernesto Moncada 60. Benjamin Phillips 59. Brad Armstrong 58. Angela Hardison 57. Tyler Quinn 56. Andrew James Benson 55. Charles Anthony Darr 54: Tiffe Fermaint 53. Eric Cox 52. Victor Vasquez 51. John Randall Nelson 50. Lauren Lee 49. Kyle Jordre 48. Julie C. Kent 47. Sean Deckert 46. Niba DelCastillo 45. Joseph Benesh 44. Ashley Harder 43. Dan Vermillion 42. Daniel Shepherd 41. James B. Hunt 40. Lori Fenn 39. Seth Gideon Fainkujen 38. Wayne Rainey 37. Christian Filardo 36. Melissa Cody
