Terrell Jones, 2025
Terrell Jones
02/07/25
What was your first ever commission, and how much did you get for it?
I’m not sure if this counts because I never completed the deal but first commission offer came from my Aunt Linda before I ever knew what a commission was. She asked me to draw her The Incredible Hulk and i didn’t know who he was at the time either. I was very young.
How did you get in contact with the Grateful Dead?
The work I’ve done with Warner Music was all thanks to relationships I have with some great people over there. I owe them a lot!
How much do you charge now? And with that, how do you value your work?
It all depends on the project and my workload. I usually get paid around ~$1,500 for each design I create but that differs from how i price my work in the digital art space. A lot of value depends on what people are willing to pay for your work.
Do you see any waves similar to how NFTs used to be coming in the future? What do you think of platforms like Zora?
I can’t say any for certain but staying ready for anything never hurts. I was able to quickly establish myself in the NFT space in large part due to having a catalog of work to mint and sell while I created new work in the meantime. Platforms like Zora are awesome and integral to the space as a whole!
How is the space you create in? Is it small or spacious, more on the messy side or organized? Do you think the physical space around you plays a big role in your creative process? How does your workspace now compare to what you used to be working with before the success?
via Terrell Jones' Instagram (@terrelldom)
Speaking of this, what would be your best advice to get connections and start getting paid for their work? Starting from the beginning with nothing, and working their way up to working with stars.
Networking is the name of the game! It will always come down to who you know. Perfecting your craft is another big key. Connections can only get you so far. You have to be able to back it up with a great portfolio.
How do you see the art world today? From collectors to gallery owners. What’s your perspective on how it all works, and where do you see yourself within that system?
I think there’s a lot of different sides to the art world, A lot of which we never see. There’s always conversations going on that you’ll never be privy to. There’s always motives that will never be realized. Ultimately, I try to control what I can and keep my focus on my art. I’m not as familiar with the traditional gallery world at this point. I’m blessed to have met a lot of my collectors, I hear that’s rare in that realm.
My space I create in is usually on my couch in my house. It’s pretty organized. I’m surrounded by art books constantly. I think your physical space is so integral to what you create. Before my success I’d usually create on my old bed. That room I used to have was maybe a bit less organized than my place now.
Your work seems to explore how we interact socially. Pieces like Mindlessness (2023) and Apples & Windows (2023) touch on themes of digital culture and human behavior. Are these ideas influenced by specific interests or experiences? When people see your work, are you aiming to evoke a certain feeling, or is your goal more about sparking conversation?
I like to play with those kinds of themes because in a way, it’s why I have any success at all. I think about the statement “perception is reality” a lot. It’s very interesting to explore. Another theme I love to lean into is nostalgia. Nostalgia is a liar and I love being lied to. I think about how awesome it is that it can be a sort of through-line and connect some of us in ways we can’t imagine.
What advice would you have for the people who want to get started in an industry like you no matter where they may come from?
My advice would be to keep your focus on your craft and to ask yourself what your purpose is creatively. What are you putting out into the world and why? Is it for you? Is it for others?
What advice would you have to someone who may be afraid to express themselves through their art? Whether they may see it as too controversial, or may feel weird explaining their thoughts to others.
I think this ties into the “what? and why?” question I posed. Being an artist doesn’t mean your art has to be seen by others. It just means you make art. Many people make or have made art that wasn’t for others’ eyes. That’s more than fine. But if you want it to be seen by others then I’d ask if you’re afraid at all. I think we as humans inherently have a desire to be seen or understood. Art can be an avenue towards that goal and I think it should be allowed to speak for itself.