Jay Exon is a mid-career, represented artist whose journey began in the world of theater design. Apprenticing under noted set designer Richard Ellis, he honed his skills in the craft of scenic painting. This early immersion in the theatrical arts laid a strong foundation for his later work.

In 2015, Jay transitioned to painting full-time and quickly established himself as an independent artist, making a name for his dynamic abstract style.

Though his approach is a departure from the more representational techniques of his formal training, Jay’s work retains an underlying theatricality that speaks to his background. His work reflects a deep belief in the balance between control and spontaneity, and in the intuitive nature of creation.

As a color-lover, Jay draws inspiration from the vibrancy and richness of the world around him. Whether it’s the unexpected color combinations in a street sign, the shifting hues of a sunset, or the earthy tones of trees on a hike, he finds beauty in the ordinary and the overlooked. These everyday experiences, combined with his affinity for vivid color and bold compositions shape the energy that flows through his work.

His preferred medium is acrylic, which he finds offers the versatility and speed needed to capture the fleeting moments of inspiration he encounters. He uses a range of tools to apply his paint, including custom-designed scrapers he’s crafted himself, allowing him to manipulate the paint with precision and spontaneity.

Jay values originality and is committed to creating non-objective art that feels fresh and unique. In his view, each piece is a distinct and personal expression of an ongoing conversation between the artist and the materials. The process is as important as the outcome, and there are no accidents—only meaningful coincidences that guide the work to its final form. As Robert Motherwell, a key figure of the New York School once said, “In the brush doing what it is doing, it will stumble upon what one couldn’t do by oneself.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Jay’s approach as he embraces the unexpected and allows the creative process to unfold in its own time.

Jay lives and works in Tulsa, Oklahoma.