Tremonton artist gaining recognition for his murals

By Jessica Wakley

March 23, 2007 | TREMONTON -- A local artist who has created art since he was 4 gets his juices flowing by "capturing a personality, or sunlight on a mountain."

Jason E. Nessen, 39, of 983 W. 520 North, is a freelance artist. He has created three murals in Tremonton and one in Garland.

Two of the murals are on Main Street at the Legacy Park and R&R Hardware. He was asked to create something Italian inside Robins Vineyard and to use his own creativity. The other mural is in Garland on the building Stylish Designs.

Murals are easy for Nessen.

"Size does not matter. It is just a matter of placing things to scale on the mural," said Nessen. He has been doing art for so long that he is able to eyeball the surface and know where the middle is without measuring.

Nessen has never made any big mistakes on his murals causing him to start over but he does touch ups. Nessen said, "Touch ups are a part of the process because art is not about perfection; it is more about making something pleasing to the eye."

Nessen uses his art skills for "a little bit of everything." He creates art for his own enjoyment, family portraits, business logos, art galleries and competitions.

He has competed in many competitions within Utah and is starting to do national competitions. These competitions help Nessen sell his art. However, word of mouth is the best way for people to become aware of his talent.

People and mountains are his favorite things to draw.

"Portraits can be challenging because the tiniest shapes can alter a person's appearance, so you have to be pretty exact," said Nessen

His least favorite thing about art is when people hire him and do not have an artistic idea. He struggles to make it how they want it rather than how he thinks it should be.

Art is rewarding because he is always learning from it, said Nessen.

"Art is something you never really master. Once in a while I hit a new plateau and I stretch myself," said Nessen.

MS
MS