Emory Jones American, b. 1998

Emory Jones is based in Skokie, Illinois and has been a North Shore studio artist since 2024. Working primarily in pencil and marker, Jones builds elaborate worlds that blend pop culture with highly individualized storytelling. His practice informed by the structural framework of comic books, utilizing sequential panels, neatly drawn text bubbles, and expansive narratives driven by cinematic action and deep fandom.

Jones draws heavily from a vast pantheon of personal inspirations, including foundational superhero titles from Marvel and DC Comics, PlayStation 4 video games, and blockbusters like Batman Begins, Superman Returns, and Harry Potter. In his ongoing original series, he chronicles the adventure of its central character, Purple-Man. Clad in a distinctive purple costume and traveling by purple Lamborghini, Purple-Man operates within the fictional, modern-day environment of Boyance City, Hawaii. Through complex paneled sequences, Jones details his hero’s triumphs over localized villains—including Yellow Witch, Green Skull, and Blue Slime Monster—while frequently staging surreal cross-over encounters with established icons from comics, movies, or hip hop culture.

Jones has also started developing a body of figurative ceramic works, such as expressive handbuilt heads and replicas of film objects. Across all mediums, he maintains an observant, detail-oriented methodology of recontextualizing modern mythologies into a personalized aesthetic.

“I love art work. I love comic books. Emo is my nickname. That’s my granny who did that. I love movies, a lot of DVDs. Nipsey Hussle, XXXTentacion, Juice WRLD, Pop Smoke, Purple-Man. Everybody Loves Emory is based on a true story in West Virginia Suncrest Middle School and Morgan Town.”