Some artists outwardly look at their surroundings seeking to capture and ultimately share a beautiful landscape made unique by the famous New Mexico light. Jake Valentine looks inward and brings forth images and figures that reflect a darker vision, one based on deeply turbulent personal experiences. Far from being nihilistic, however, Valentine’s creations have a whimsical feel that make his works both compelling yet somewhat disturbing. These are not your typical “pretty” pieces; their appeal lies in the gloom that follows us all but that many want to repress. Valentine, on the other hand, illuminates the dark with delight.

“I don’t take so called darkness seriously,” Valentine said. “It is more tongue-and-cheek for me. I’m making fun of it, having fun with it.”

Valentine grew up in El Paso. Art was not a priority then.

“I remember in the eighth grade my art teacher had us draw a Coca Cola can and an apple,” Valentine said. “I didn’t do it to his liking. He told me: ‘You’ll never be an artist.’”
“Another thing I experienced was being 6 yrs old and having my coloring books taken away because I refused to color within the lines, and when instructed to do so I replied with “NO, I color perfectly outside of the lines”, Valentines snickers.

That all changed years later as he entered the El Paso underground community of creatives. He struggled to make a living working as a DJ and bartender; living in dingy studios in downtown El Paso. He was nearly murdered in one. Friends often came by with support & food, or took him out to eat, concerned about his well-being.

“I was basically living on black tea and popcorn. And yeah, That tragedy in Oakland? The fire in the cooperative that killed all those artists? I relate, because that so could have happened to me, as I lived in an artist community (Glasbox) just like that for a couple of years, poorer than poor.”

The stress of living so close to the edge was daunting at best, and Valentine eventually fell into a deep depression.

“A friend brought me a chunk of clay. She said: ‘Here, keep yourself busy. It will keep your mind off things.’”

Valentine fashioned his first sculpture: A small skull figurine with a top hat (Day of The Dead Inspired), meticulously detailed featuring red rhinestone eyes. Little did he imagine that that small figure would help propel him into the international stage as an artist who now shows in well-known galleries all over the US (Metropolis Collective/Trash Art Gallery), Spain (Art Toy Gama Collective), Germany, Chile, & Japan. As well he has been featured in both national and international publications, including Japan’s MONO Magazine. Here locally he is one of the Creative Directors of the StoryBrook Crest development that is replacing the historic Swiss Chalet with 45 condominium residences and 21 separate micro-mansion Piney Pods.

“It’s funny to look back and think that a little bit of heartbreak started it all,” Valentine said, laughing.

He describes his work as nostalgic, Kawaii Noir with a mix of Pop Surrealism, rock’n’roll & a sprinkle of punk rock. His style shows the influence of Japanese anime, Retro Futurism/Steampunk, graffiti, street and fantasy art, but most importantly music. Music has always been a huge driving factor in his works, and it shows. His subject matter ranges from using real-life animal skulls elaborately transformed into colorful repurposed sculptures to a glaring, sneering fedora-hat wearing turquoise octopus tauntingly sticking its tongue out. His best sellers and what he’s best known for are his Cheshire-looking grinning cats that look ready to spring up and latch onto the viewer’s jugular vein. Also his tall slender elegant cats with shimmery hollow hearts and hypnotizing glass eyes. All his works, including his jewelry feature a grotesque beauty to them.
Along with sculpture figurines he has also painted murals in El Paso. One he is most known for is of an alter-ego manifestation of a creature named Iggy, who he promises will re-appear in future works, much to the delight of his collectors not only here, but around the world. This mural still stands in downtown El Paso.

A huge part of what thrust him out of destitution and into the spotlight is social media.

He sold his first piece on Myspace. He now uses Facebook and Instagram to connect with both galleries and collectors. Internet promotion is not a short cut. It is a full-time job. Neither is it a replacement for personal interaction. According to Valentine, the internet can actually eliminate the awkwardness of face-to-face meetings while letting personalities shine through to exponentially more potential customers.

“You have to be real and genuine,” Valentine explained. “It is scary sometimes. I’ve had my screw-ups in what I’ve done or said, but I own up to it.”

In addition to authenticity, it is important to reciprocate. Social media allows others to pass on information including what they like. It is also a forum for alerting other artists, friends and followers to frauds and bad experiences with galleries, as well as false information and mean-spirited rants. Valentine is able to walk the line between pitch-man and best friend. It is all about developing a brand, about showing rather than telling. To that end, he shows his work using free online tools that enhance his photographs, utilizes Instagram and its visual and immediate platform accessed via mobile phones and posts regularly. More importantly, Valentine routinely supports other artists he admires by sharing their works online and works as a modern-day matchmaker between other artists and galleries.

The real-life interaction of a collector, artist, and the opportunity as a result of the internet is best seen in the way Valentine’s necklaces found their way into the GRAMMY bags a few years ago.

“I had a friend who was obsessed with Prince Royce (a pop singer and songwriter from the Bronx),” Valentine said. “She contacted him and showed him my jewelry. The next thing I know I am making 100 necklaces to be included in the Grammy swag bags that are handed out at the GRAMMY’s. A single fan made that happen.”

He is using his internet business savvy to promote the art-driven amenities at StoryBrook Crest. One example is the proposed tapas restaurant and pub that will feature an upscale wonderland theme. He will also operate an art gallery using the symbol “V” that will represent local artists as well as artists from all over the world who have mastered or are experimenting in non-conventional art.

Valentine is quick to note that just because the art is not conventional that quality won’t be compromised.

“We are still in the Southwest. We have the best views here, and we intend to take full advantage of them. This project will feature the best of the best. No detail is overlooked. What we are doing is using fantasy as a means of escape. Walk around a corner and owners will be surprised by something whimsical in an environment that will offer down-to-earth high-end concierge services ranging from pre-arrival shopping to skis on the run, as well as top-of-the-line products and furnishings,” Valentine said.

Valentine recently turned down a commission in the Netherlands to concentrate on his new duties. He is not complaining. He continues to do his art just as passionately and personal as before and is still an internet presence. Just the venue has changed.

“In the beginning of my career, I was focusing on surviving and making sure I had the basic of basic necessities, it feels good to be able to breathe and just create freely now; it’s a whole new ball game and I am running with it” “Everyone has something that drives them,” Valentine said. “It might be ambition; it might be a way to process demons. For some it means going to the gym and working out. For others it is going to work and putting in overtime. For me it is creating.”