BIO
1984 with Pres. Ronald Reagan - 1987 with Sammy Hagar
YOUTH...
Born and raised in the good old midwest, J.D. Emmerson developed solid morals and values at a very young age which helped him out tremendously later on in life. As a self-taught artist, he began creating hyper-real portraits as early as age 12, winning national competitions including a gold medal in the VICA Skills Olympics of 1984. President Ronald Reagan awarded the medal and gave some sage advice to him on stage as they shook hands before a crowd of 50,000, 'I want you to promise me that you will make a firm commitment to excellence in everything that you do from this moment forward.' J.D. kept his promise to President Reagan and worked like crazy developing new skills, techniques and secret tricks of the trade.
Rock 'n Roll consumed J.D. as a teen, becoming lead singer in several rock bands, including a Thai rock band that played the Sunset Strip, Las Vegas and all over Asia. At the same time, J.D. was building one heck of an art portfolio, filled with amazingly detailed and realistic portraits of Rock 'n Roll legends in a wide vaiety of styles and techniques. He had no clue what was in store for him!
HOLLYWOOD...
When a young and eager 25 year old J.D. moved to Hollywood in the summer of 1987, he drove a brand new black Toyota MR2 and yet had only $27 in his pocket. Having most of his possessions stolen in Colorado, all he had left fit into that sports car. In addition, he was homeless that first night and had to sleep in that itty bitty car. Amazingly just 24 hours after arriving in tinseltown, J.D. began working with legends in the film and music industries, never looking back as his future was set, fulfilling a glorious destiny in the most perfect way.
In a very short amount of time, J.D. worked directly with such legends as Dick Clark, George Atkinson, Mike Tristano, David Allen, Joe Viskosil, Wayne Isham, Michael Jackson, KISS, Motley Crue, Sammy Hagar, OZZY, Judas Priest, Bon Jovi, Sade, the Whispers, the Coasters and so many more. As a sought after Hollywood Art Director, J.D. designed well over 2,400 album covers, DVD/CD covers, movie posters, food packaging and thousands more advertising campaigns for major retailers around the world in a red-hot solo career that spanned over thirty two years. JD dedicated himself to exceeding all expectations while creating a stellar and highly respectful reputation in Hollywood - mixed with a monster work ethic that most definitely set him apart from the rest.
In addition, J.D. became a model maker and Special FX painter for several cult classic films (Robot Jox) and even ended up editing, producing and directing many documentaries including 'LEONARDO: King of the World' and 'The North Hollywood Shootout'. He made money, tons of it, then traveled the world; exploring, experiencing life like never before and teaching art and advanced design principles to the youth of the world as often as possible.
RETIREMENT...
Soon after relocating to Santa Rosa, California in 2016, J.D. retired from advertising for good and opened a studio/gallery in the Fulton Crossing Art Gallery which has been the #1 gallery in Sonoma county for three amazing years. This change of pace dramatically enhanced his workflow and entire creative process. He was then able to create abstract art for the first time in his life, and they are selling. He has mastered tons of graphite techniques and will soon publish 'Legends in Graphite: Rock 'n Roll Icons of the 60's', a remarkable new book series that will expand to include Country, Blues, RAP and Jazz music icons in the very near future.
As a lifelong perfectionist and a workaholic to boot, J.D. has reinvented himself yet again, receiving major recognition around the world and it all started with simply thinking outside the box, focusing on the 'presentation' of his art. In an epiphany that hit him like a bolt of lightning recently, J.D. created a new series of artwork titled the 'CHROME' series which involves masterfully infusing his original art with musical instruments, equipment/gear, memorabilia, exotic woods, 24k gold, diamond dust, rare gems, sparkling resins and stunning animation.
"The CHROME series is a very special and rare creation, so I have to treat it that way by only offering it at a VIP level and exclusively for the Hard Rock International, museums & galleries as well as to select legendary musicians themselves. This is a real game changer for me and I am up for the challenge."
- J.D. Emmerson
PRESENT...
2024 ushered in another major change in J.D.'s life. For the past year, he has been working directly with the Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chief Chuck Hoskins, Jr., his staff and associates in order to develop projects that inspire individuals in a positive way, primarily through art. In that humble effort, J.D. Emmerson has now relocated to Tahlequah, Oklahoma to build a new home, art studio and gallery... creating his new empire in order to inspire others.
JD Emmerson presenting Chief Chuck Hoskins, Jr. a John Lennon print for his daughter, outside the Cherokee Headquarters in Tahlequah, Oklahoma - 2022.
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INTERNATIONAL PRAISE
In thirty years as an art dealer, I've had the good fortune to get up close and personal with the work of many of our country's great portraitists and illustrators. From Wyeth to Rockwell to Warhol, these gifted artists have left a beloved gallery of images that capture our American culture and the notable figures that have shaped it.
Although J.D. Emmerson follows in this rich tradition, his vision of the iconic figures of our time is never derivative, always surprising, and uniquely his own. Although his craftsmanship and enormous technical skill is clearly evident in everything he does, what sets his work apart from that of others who explore this genre is the deep insight he brings to the character of his famous subjects. It might seem impossible to find something new to say about Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles or Marilyn Monroe, but somehow Emmerson's work performs this happy miracle.
Obviously, the artist has drawn on his decades of work in the entertainment industry to become comfortably at home in the rarefied air he explores. He shares this familiarity with us and, by doing so, invites us to leave the back row seats where we are worshiping from afar and to join him with a back stage pass. These are portraits by someone who knows his subjects and the world they inhabit.
While Emmerson's work can rightly be called photo realistic for the accuracy of his draftsmanship, his bold palette and unusual perspective incorporate an abstract expressionist sensibility that animates his scenes with an almost musical sense of visual rhythm. This is art with soul and it is, simply, joyful to experience.
- Jim Tulip - International Art Dealer & Musician
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Member of: The Society of Illustrators, The Airbrush Society, The Portrait Society of America
Education: AAA degree - Hawkeye Institute of Technology, Waterloo, Iowa. BFA degree - Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri.
Gold Medal winner in the USA Skill Olympics – 1984 – Presented by President Ronald Reagan
Exhibits:
ENIGMA Gallery – Los Angeles, CA - 2014 - solo show
‘POP’ ENIGMA Gallery – Los Angeles, CA - 2015 – solo show
‘Legends in Graphite’ Fulton Crossing Gallery – Fulton, CA - 2016 - Solo show
‘Synchronicity’ Fulton Crossing Gallery – Fulton, CA - 2018 - Solo show
‘FAB FOUR’ Fulton Crossing Gallery – Fulton, CA - 2019 - Solo show
‘Fab Four’ Simmer Art Wall – Rohnert Park, CA – 2020 - 2022 – Solo Exhibit
Toppings Art Wall – Santa Rosa, CA – 2021 - 2023 – Solo Exhibit
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Tulsa, OK – 2022 - Eric Clapton portrait on permanent display
OLI Art Gallery – Guernville, California – 2023 – group show
OLI Art Gallery – Guernville, California – 2023 – ‘Rosie the Riveter’ group show
Music Hall of Fame - Muskogee, Oklahoma – 2024 – Leon Russell 'The Tulsa Sound' on permanent display
Music Hall of Fame - Muskogee, Oklahoma – 2024 – 'Merle Haggard' on permanent display
My brand of art focuses primarily on celebrity portraits, created in a variety of styles I have developed in the last 50 years. I created my first abstract painting in acrylic in 2016 and I have successfully merged abstract with my realistic portraits for a couple of new series of paintings.
My most popular techniques are:
• Oil wash with color pencil
• Color pencil on black illustration board
• Acrylic portraits
• Acrylic abstracts
• Highly detailed portraits in wet and dry graphite
• Acrylic drawings on sheets of clear acrylic over a splattered acrylic background
• Assemblage that creates the frame for a graphite drawing (the Lamborghini of my techniques)
TESTIMONIALS
Anthony-B
I may be young, but I love J.D.'s art of the classic rockers like Zeppelin, Santana and Clapton. I have been collecting a few of his Limited Editions and always have an eye out for his new work. This guy is unreal!
Christian-D
I have recently discovered J.D. and his art has changed my life. Several of his newer pieces are hanging in the living room of my second home in Las Vegas. The work is awe-inspiring and gives a phenomenal boost of positive energy to the room. I do not know how he does it, but I love collecting it. He is truly 'one-of-a-kind'.
Gretchen-R
As an artist myself, I have a great admiration for this unique master and the amazing road that he has traveled. J.D.'s graphite drawings each have a vibrant soul and are crafted with such an amazing level of skill, love and superhuman attention to detail. He puts his heart into his portraits and it shows. I'll be a fan for life!
Hakam-M
As J.D. is a true master of his craft, he is not only getting better, but evolving in ways that are truly remarkable. I started collecting his work 14 years ago and I can not get enough. All my friends are quite envious of the originals I have purchased and I have no intention of stopping. The art speaks for itself… quality, skill and imagination on another level.
Jennifer-V
As a student, the only thing I can afford are J.D.'s posters, and I have them all over my home! I even put some up in my dorm room and they are getting a lot of attention. The big deal around campus now are his amazing images on T-shirts and hoodies... we can't get enough!
Kumiko-O
There is only one gallery here in Osaka that has J.D.'s work now… but he is blowing-up, big-time. I bought three Limited Editions and am amazed at the amount of color he put in. Marilyn is hanging in our living room and makes one hell of an impression… my dad has been in love with her since the 60's!
Linda-R
I stage homes for a living all over the west coast of California and recently ran into Emmerson. His art is astounding and are a great asset to all of the celebrity estates I work on. I only purchase his bigger pieces and I am so glad to hear that his originals are getting bigger and bigger. I love the color, the style and the emotion he puts into it, giving his subjects life… they are full of energy and I just love it.
Lisa-H
One of my dreams is to visit the Emmerson studio in person, after this pandemic thing is over. I need to see the originals, every stroke and all of the texture. I think his work is sincere and his story, from the book 'Legends in Graphite', is an amazing one, truly inspiring.
Marcus-X
The only thing I can say about Emmerson's art is that it is amazingly wicked. His color pallet is an 'attention getter' and his technique, the application and the graphite strokes, are just wild. I love it. I am an artist, just starting out, and this guy continues to blow me away. He inspires me to my core!
Ramona-M
I love Emmerson's graphite series a lot, but I am personally drawn to his stunning POP-WOW! acrylic color series. It is something I have never seen before, fresh and clean with such vivid colors. I just bought an early edition of the Lennon portrait and it has become an amazing conversation starter for all of my friends and family who stop by. I think my boyfriend is jealous… I'm OK with that!
Ryela-S
It is rare for me to see art that just stops me in my tracks and takes my breath away as does J.D. Emmerson's work. Once I saw his portrait of TUPAC, I had to buy the original… it is a game-changer for me. It is not just the extreme level of craftsmanship in the graphite drawing, but the application of the color choice and positioning of each color… he was dancing with perfection when he created it.
Sam-K
I am a sucker for classic rock and so... I am a huge fan of Emmerson's. I bought an original painting of Jimi Hendrix that he did a few years back and it has since quadrupled in value! It is a great investment, but I'll never sell it… simple satisfaction in owning something that others can not.
Toni-P
I gotta say that Emmerson's new book 'Legends in Graphite' was spot on and a page-turner too boot... I recently got a limited copy and I treasure it. JD's life experience reminded me of the kid in 'Almost Famous'. I am so happy that Emmerson passed the Hollywood audition and is actually still here now with us to share his amazing vision on paper and canvas. I'll be a collector of his work for a very long time to come, guaranteed. He is a true renaissance man and an massive inspiration to me.
Zim-Q
As Emmerson is getting into more art galleries around the USA, I hope he can break into Hong Kong or even Japan soon… he would make a killing with his style of POP Art. I am both a fan and have been a collector of J.D. Emmerson's art for over five years now and always look forward to his new work with great anticipation.
