“Desert Dreams,” a one-person art show featuring over 40 paintings and 30 drawings by Jason Graves, is set to captivate visitors at the Hi-Desert Artists Gallery in Yucca Valley. A lifelong passion for painting that began in childhood has evolved into a distinctive style influenced by his Fine Art studies at Pratt Institute in New York City.
Graves’ artistic journey is deeply intertwined with his surroundings. Inspired by the desert’s inherent vibrations, he employs a Pointillist technique, using varying dot sizes and complementary colors to convey the vivid experience of desert landscapes. His process is intuitive, relying on spontaneity and a deep connection with his nervous system to translate the essence of the desert onto canvas.
Reflecting on his artistic evolution, Graves describes a shift towards desert-oriented forms since residing in the Morongo Basin. His paintings are characterized by intricate layers of color, where blocks of desert scenery are meticulously articulated with tiny dots, each color overlapping to create a visual vibration that draws viewers into contemplation.
“You can fall into them,” Graves explains. “Allow yourself to immerse in the artwork, and reality shifts. Shapes transform, consciousness evolves—it’s about experiencing a heightened sense of aliveness.”
Graves continued to explain his process: “I’ve always been inspired by vibration. For the longest time, I worked from the figure and energetically interpreted it. Then, since I’ve been living up here, the openness, quiet, and vibration of the deserts inspired me to move towards more desert-oriented forms.
Looking ahead, after three shows in six months, Graves plans to pause and explore new creative directions following “Desert Dreams.”
Experience Jason Graves’ compelling new works at the Hi-Desert Artists Gallery during the opening reception on Saturday, December 7th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The gallery is located at 55635 Twentynine Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley. For a link to his website, go to https://jasongravesart.com/.
