JIM DRYDEN

By the time I was 3 years old, I had personified all the crayons in my 24-count box of Crayolas. I was convinced that individual colors would feel slighted if I didn't use each crayon equally. Even at such a tender age, I recognized that this wasn't workable color theory or an artistically sustainable strategy. If only I had been as concerned about the well-being of my goldfish and their environment during my budding career as a painter...

I feel that growing up in North Dakota is explanation enough for my deep appreciation of minimalism, and at the same time, my frequent, compulsive need to fill in every available, empty space. This lends a somewhat schizophrenic quality to my work - at times peaceful and contemplative, but more often, noisy and chaotic.

Narrative is important in my work; I'm usually telling a story of some kind. I have worked for many years as both an illustrator and as an artist. In my mind these are are not exclusive, separate things. Using much the same skill set, illustration is when I'm telling someone else's story, art is when I'm telling my own.

RESUME+EXHIBITIONS
WWW.JIMDRYDEN.COM WWW.MNARTISTS.ORG CONTACT JIM