Jay LeRoy

Nature

Digital illustration 

12 x 18 inches

More Info:

Despite humanity's advancements, like every other creature, we are still just animals trying to survive the beauty and brutality of the natural world. Over time, various religions have taught us to deny our fundamental animal nature, that it’s “evil” or “impure”, as if we are somehow separate from - and above - the rest of Creation. The goat figure is deliberately antagonistic to this idea, making perhaps uncomfortable eye contact with the viewer to remind them of their natural, animalistic state.

Bio:

Jay LeRoy is a Wurtsboro, NY artist, designer, and seeker. His digital illustrations and mixed media works explore the mysteries of spirit, psyche, and the occult. He is the creator of The Red Magician’s Tarot, now in its second edition. LeRoy is the founder of the Cornwall-Highlands Arts Alliance, currently serves as Vice President of Wurtsboro Art Alliance, and exhibits work at The John Neilson Gallery in Wurtsboro.

Statement:

I’m an illustrator and graphic designer based in Wurtsboro, NY. My work explores mysteries of the psyche, spirituality and the occult, mainly through digital illustration and mixed media works. I believe art is a magical act. Like magicians, artists are pulling something intangible from other realms and giving it corporeal form that we can experience here and now.

I’m inspired by the symbolic art of alchemy and tarot, 1960’s psychedelia, surrealism, art deco, even comic books of the 20th century. Whether drawing in Procreate or piecing together collage, I’m attempting to illustrate my conceptions of Consciousness and Jungian archetypal forces, while elaborating upon the personal symbolism I’ve developed over decades of spiritual exploration.

My goal is to create art that invites the viewer into deeper contemplation and examination, not only of the Self but of all Creation. And I don’t shy away from “darkness,” as what hides in the shadows can teach us greater truths about ourselves. The darkness is not “evil” and I believe one cannot appreciate the light without having been in the dark.