Eric Jones was used to creating as a senior visual communications major, but before this summer, he’d never been asked to direct his skills toward something as large as a mural.
Now his talents are immortalized in Village Promenade’s parking garage. It’s a sprawling piece with multiple parts — a brightly colored combination of geometric and abstract shapes, Ball State imagery and nature scenes.
He spray-painted the mural in May and August after his former art professor David Hannon contacted him. Village Promenade had asked the Ball State art department for help finding an artist.
The mural may have been Jones' first large-scale commission project, but he’s been fascinated with art for as long as he can remember.
In high school, he was motivated by his teachers to take his passion somewhere, even though the school he attended didn’t have an art focus.
“I’ve been going through the program [at Ball State] refining all my skills for years,” he said.
In the past, he’s focused on oil paintings, surrealism and realism, but his style changes depending on the medium with which he’s working.
“With the spray paint, the art is more abstract. I have to put down color first, and then outline it. There’s more ‘flat color’ there,” Jones said. “There is more blending in oil painting, and there are more dimensions.”
Despite his experience, Jones said he’s started taking his passion more seriously recently.
“Art is a very competitive field,” he said. “You must represent yourself with your portfolio, and to do that you need to have a lot of drive. Art takes all of your attention and energy to be successful.”
He draws from life experiences to create his personal art. He’s currently working on an art show with his girlfriend, who is also an artist. The show focuses on the duality of their long-distance relationship.
He said his art portrays his feelings and emotions and always has to do with him—at least in some sense.
“My morals, values and belief systems always come out in the paint,” he said.
He has also been inspired by the people and relationships in his life.
“My parents are wonderful people,” Jones said. “The way that they live and love and put that in the world is inspiring. My mother’s strength and my dad’s work ethic have also really been influences on me.”
Jones also gives credit to his girlfriend, whom he calls a “positive source of energy.” Having watched her transition from student to professional artist, he respects and admires her drive.
The Village Promenade murals have increased Jones' confidence, but they've also given a “huge boost” to his professional career, he said.
He’s had oil paintings commissioned and he’s done some work for a local CrossFit gym.
His Promenade work is still garnering attention.
Katie Bowman, a junior secondary education major, said the murals are cool, and they add “artistic value” to Muncie.
“It’s impressive they were done by a Ball State student, too,” Bowman said.
Jones just feels lucky to be doing what he loves as a career.
“I feel blessed to have had a job where I can both learn and use my passion,” he said.
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