Meet Jeff Ross | Creator/Instigator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Ross and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My lifestyle is my job. Being a creator is a constant. When I started my original screenprinting business 35 years ago, self employed meant every day and every night. Now making my art is 24 hours a day. Making, thinking, living.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a creator more than an artist. Everything around me is my inspiration. Bits, pieces, snippets, sounds, and feel all contribute as triggers, reactions, ideas, and results. My work comes as a product of where I am and what is at hand at the moment. Changing gears is a constant. I continually work on different types, formats and styles at the same time. Traveling around the world, taking the small roads, and seeking something new is the best source for my mind. Standing still or only making one kind of art is not an option.

For 25 years, I had a screenprinting business, and for 15 years picture framing shop. Saving my money was the key to being where I am today. In 2009 I closed my screenprinting business and began working on my art full time. If not for savings, I couldn’t survive being a full time artist.

For the last 10 years I have lived in Bangkok Thailand and Pančevo Serbia. Creating in places where the cost of living is much easier, allowed me to not worry about the day to day expenses. Since Covid, I have had to move back to Denver, set up the studio, and build my website, Reverse culture shock is in full effect.

I have learned to use whatever materials I have in hand, will lead me to what type of art I will make, Prolific and obsessive best describes my results. Painting, drawing, screenprinting, collaging, photography. I don’t limit myself in anyway. My work is a result of reacting to what I just did, Everything is basically made live. Success or ruin runs hand in hand. That is what makes it exciting for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have been gone from Denver for 30 years. So I am relearning everything here. “The Oldest Rookie” is how I look at myself here in the local art scene. Pretty much everything from my past here in the ’80s is gone. Except for WaxTrax Records. The cityscape is completely different now.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Gerard Sendrey, Begles France, http://www.musee-creationfranche.com/?portfolio=sendrey-gerard Michael Ottersen, Albuquerque, New Mexico…..http://www.michaelottersen.com/

Website: jeffrossart.com

Instagram: jeffrossart

Facebook: JeffRossArt

Image Credits
Taylor McAvoy Wall Photo