Terrell Jones is a rising star in the NFT art world, capturing the attention of elite collectors and auction houses like Sotheby’s. His visually distinct style draws inspiration from classic gangster films and pop art from the ‘80s, allowing him to tell stories through his art that connect with viewers on a deeper level.
Jones was born in Ann Arbour, Michigan, and had childhood aspirations of being a cartoonist. Today, he is one of the hottest new NFT artists, with some of his highest-ever sales in the past two months. His works are influenced by nostalgic memories, evocative emotions, and a sense of longing for the past.
Jones speaks of his deep connection with nostalgia, stating, “I’m definitely trying to connect the viewers and collectors of my art with nostalgia. A lot of the music I listen to is for nostalgic reasons. A lot of the movies and shows I watch are for nostalgic reasons. I lead with nostalgia in a sense with my work.”
He draws inspiration from classic gangster films like The Sopranos, Goodfellas, and Scarface, as seen in his collections “Evil in Color” and “Good and Evil.” Jones’ simplistic yet fascinating style takes viewers on a journey through their imagination, reigniting the spark of childhood wonder and possibility.
Jones cites American visual artist George Condo as his No. 1 influence, stating, “A lot of my early work was pretty much Condo-like copies.” He also gives shoutouts to Edward Hopper, Hiroshi Guy, David Hockney, Phil Hale, Yue Minjun, Takashi Murakami, and Mpcoz as artists who are doing amazing things in NFTs.
Jones’ art is often inspired by watching classic films, and he uses the tool Procreate to bring his creativity to life. He works on individual characters or crucial aspects of a piece separately, ultimately combining all the files. Jones’ “soft-shell taco method” of subtly getting his art in front of the right people has helped him rise up the ranks in the NFT art world.
In addition to his ever-growing popularity, Jones has had several notable sales, including “The Maestro,” which sold for 24.90 ETH ($35,283 equivalent on the date of sale), “The Standoff,” which sold for 18 ETH ($30,130 equivalent on the date of sale), and “American Dream Life,” which was sold for HKD$177,800 ($22,651 equivalent on the date of sale) via Sotheby’s auction.
Jones also informs us of three artists that we should all be looking into: Kodak LDN, a Nigerian animator; Niah, an Australian artist; and Rozwell, a creator he describes as the Steve Jobs of NFTs.
Despite all the recent interest, Jones remains grounded, stating, “I can remember times where people didn’t care about what I was doing or what I was minting. Recent times have been a huge contrast to that, and it’s a big change. I’m grateful for it.”
Terrell Jones’ art is not just about capturing fleeting moments of nostalgia but also about creating a sense of belonging and connecting with a deeper part of everyone. His unique storytelling ability, combined with his visually distinct style, has captured the attention of collectors and art enthusiasts alike, making him a rising star in the NFT art world.
