The hyperrealistic watercolors of Rance Jones.

One thing is certain about Rance Jones: this award-winning artist knows how to tell a story in his watercolors. Whether it’s a series of works depicting scenes from an Irish fishing village or vignettes of a small Mexican town, it’s a narrative that goes beyond the surface, suggested by glances and gestures. Even in the way Jones talks about his work, there’s a story that connects to him. “I paint what’s emotionally strong for me,” he says.

Observing and depicting the lives of people from different parts of the world and often very different environments means accepting that a culture can have many facets, invisible to the naked eye. Rance approaches each painting with the intention of depicting an unfiltered human quality, never stereotypical, judgmental, romanticized, or staged. Capturing body language, expression, and environment are key elements in this process.

When a person is absorbed in their thoughts, their facial expression and posture reveal how they are influenced by their environment, society, and culture, thus betraying their own defenses. The precise realism of his paintings brings a visceral honesty to the stories these lives tell. Aware that he cannot fully grasp the full complexity of the conditions and cultures of the people he paints, Rance believes that the expressiveness and presence of the figures in his works inherently tell the truth.

In 1991, Rance moved from Kerrville, Texas, to New York City with his wife Christina to attend the School of Visual Arts and earn a master’s degree in illustration. It was the sense of adventure and the opportunity to study at such a renowned New York art school that drew him there. The couple moved from a tiny cabin on the Guadalupe River to a typical five-story apartment in Manhattan’s West Village. The energy and pace of New York City were a constant source of inspiration for Rance, who continued his career as an illustrator and produced work for The New York Times and numerous magazines, including a cover story for National Review. The couple found a network of friends there and worked hard to realize their dreams in their new home.

In 1996, upon the birth of their daughter, the young Jones family moved to Washington Heights, just above 181st Street. Surrounded by a park, they lived in a comfortable apartment near the Hudson. In the evenings, they could stroll to the Little Red Lighthouse on the Hudson or wander through the Cloisters, the Metropolitan’s replica of a medieval monastery, located a few blocks from Fort Tryon Park. Eventually, their church asked the young family to join a congregation of about 500 members in central Harlem to help organize a children’s ministry. Though a few subway stops away, Harlem was a world apart, rife with poverty, crime, and neglect.

Rance also volunteered at a drug rehabilitation program where he heard men share raw and heartbreaking stories, ranging from violent crimes to prostitution. The artist saw firsthand how difficult it was for children and families, young women and young men, to navigate such difficult situations. It was through these interactions that Rance had to confront prejudice—not only the mistrust he encountered, but more importantly, his own perception of the people around him. Understanding and ultimately valuing such a different culture was a difficult, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately, an invaluable opportunity for growth.