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JUSTIN ELLIS
Charlotte, NC
"My work can be quiet but still have an impact, it can be serious and still be whimiscal".
BIO:
June 10th, 2020 began his journey as the resident artist for the Brooklyn Collective shortly after Sozo Gallery inaugurated its satellite location in Plaza Midwood premiering the art ( and soul ) of Charlotte’s own Justin Ellis, aka JUS10. Brimming with stories that take form from the si... more >> Justin Ellis | JUS1O
Charlotte, NC
"My work can be quiet but still have an impact, it can be serious and still be whimiscal".
BIO:
June 10th, 2020 began his journey as the resident artist for the Brooklyn Collective shortly after Sozo Gallery inaugurated its satellite location in Plaza Midwood premiering the art ( and soul ) of Charlotte’s own Justin Ellis, aka JUS10. Brimming with stories that take form from the simple thought of How am I feeling?. JUS10’s eponymous solo show debuts a new series of acrylic paintings and collages. His artist statement aptly declares his work to be “storytelling in mixed media.” He puts paint, pencil, crayon, thread, and printed materials to paper, canvas, cardboard, and even bark of a tree, giving visual form to his feelings and thoughts. Justin is an avid recorder of feelings through journaling and sketching as well as gatherer of materials. From these routines, he instinctively knows what needs to be combined to get down on paper or canvas what he is in his mind and soul. While giving visual form to abstract emotions and thoughts could bring forth chaotic creations, it is his training and work as a graphic designer that organizes and aligns his compositions. The number 10 holds great significance as a homophony forming his name/monogram, but also gives a framework for his art as he creates in series of 10. Constantly in his craft, he often references the 2010 movie Black Swan to describe his working methods: as almost suffering by not working as opposed to over working the point of the suffering. Every motion he feels, visual he sees, words he reads, and sounds he hears becomes a catalyst, character, or motif in the stories he tells in acrylic and collage. In his words: “When upset or frustrated at the world. I know I can always take it out on the canvas.” The swan is just one part of his bird imagery. As a calming method for times when he feels constrained as if his wings are clipped and he cannot reach the summit he desires he slips away to the Carolina Raptor Center. Watching the magnificent birds gracefully take flight, provides something of a visual refresher to amuse and clear his mind and outlook. Even with so many personal aspects and representations of the eyes that experience his art as the writing usually incorporated into the compositions can be indecipherable or as linear and legible as the perfected graphic text he learned in school. Justin ends his artist statement with this most heartfelt and genuine phrase: “I love what I do and thrilled to be able to share my passion and vision with you.
