Celebrity Interview - Conrad Jones - Comments

Conrad Jones

Poster: Nicola McGeorge 01/06/2007

CONTINUING OUR SERIES FEATURING MOVERS AND SHAKERS WHO HAVE SETTLED ON THE COSTA DEL SOL, NICOLA McGEORGE SPEAKS TO CONRAD JONES - ONE OF MARBELLA'S HOTTEST ARTISTS.

When you first meet Conrad Jones it's hard to believe he originates from Devon, as he has more of a laidback Australian presence about him following years of travelling.
After studying art and photography at college, Conrad decided to travel the world. He has experienced things most people could only dream of. Starting off in Australia, he spent a year doing a variety of jobs, including working in a copper mine in Kajabbi (Queensland), as an orderly in a psychiatric unit for ex-vets in Perth, and helping out on the diving boats in Cairns. He actually learned to dive on the Great Barrier Reef, and it was there that something extremely unusual took place.
"I was free-diving to 30 foot, when a gigantic shape loomed out of the shadows," recalls Conrad. "I have to admit I was a bit nervous. As the object drifted into clearer water, I realised that it was a Minki whale. I decided the best plan was to remain motionless in the water. Minki whales are inquisitive creatures so it showed no fear as it continued towards me, until its eye became level with mine. That moment seemed to last a lifetime, and then he just glided on past." Next on the list was New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia, the US, Thailand and Vietnam. In Vietnam Conrad made a trek along the mountains bordering China, where he came across a Hmong hill tribe. They invited him to stay with them.
"I lived with them for a week. They had nothing, yet were the most contented people I had ever met. It really puts things into perspective."
Then it was off to just outside Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) where Conrad was lucky enough to see some of the Cu Chi tunnels used by the Viet Cong in the war against the United States. Most were too small for Conrad to crawl into.
After covering most of Europe, he realised it was time to settle down for a while. Not wanting to return to England, but realising that living in Australia wouldn't be fair on his family, he chose a place that had the sun, sea and laidback lifestyle that he craved. Marbella! That was five years ago, and Conrad has since established himself here as an artist. Being so versatile means he is an interior designer's dream. They know that anything their clients request, no matter how difficult, Conrad can produce it with ease. He has worked with the majority of the main names here, including Richard Lewis Interiors.
Says director and head designer Jonty, "I have often used Conrad's artistic flair and creativity to enhance a client's property, by painting a mural or a canvas in conjunction with the overall colour scheme."
Another fan of his work is Andrea Bock from Ambience Home design. "We can easily say that Conrad is one of the most talented artists living on the Coast. With every commission, he goes above and beyond, astounding our clients with not only his creativity, but with the fabrication of his work. He is a genius at conceptualising an idea and translating it through paint onto a canvas with exquisite attention to detail."
His work ranges from abstract to realism, from pop art to gold and silver gilding. The most requested artwork at the moment is pop art... Marilyn Monroe's samurai/oriental figures and abstract nudes. Murals are also popular, whether it be flower fairies in a nursery or rock stars on the walls of a trendy bar.
"Recently I have started to specialise in portraits," Conrad tells me. "They have proved very popular as gifts. I have had requests to paint clients' children, parents or even their animals in oils." They are so life-like people have been moved to tears on receiving a portrait. This spurred on Conrad into entering the prestigious National Portrait Exhibition, where he will be competing with over 2,000 of the world's finest artists.
Conrad has had exhibitions in London, Denmark, Australia and, of course, Marbella. Last summer he took part in an exhibition at Magna Café of nudes, where his contemporary work proved very popular. As a result of that show, he was contacted by a New York agent for artists, who now represents him in America. "My next exhibition will be with photographer Stewart Weir," he says. "I wanted to give something back to Andalucía, so I am going to do a series of abstract and traditional bull-fighting paintings. Stewart will capture the traditional Spanish event through journalistic-style photography." So what does Conrad like to do in his spare time? Not one for posing in Puerto Banús (though he has just joined Target Models,) he prefers the more relaxed feel of Marbella's nightlife. He frequents bars such as Bambinos and Tangitos, or Pintxos for great tapas.
As a bit of an adrenaline junkie, he can often be found rock climbing, running along the beach or boxing, but his main passion is surfing. Conrad has surfed in some of best surfing spots in the world, including a few years ago at Australia's Bells Beach, which is a haven for Great White sharks, and also The Pipe Line (Hawaii), where many of the best surfers have died, falling victim to the shallow reefs..
"To be fair it was a very small wave day, no bigger than five foot," he says, smiling. Personally I think he is crazy. Now he is quite happy to head down to Tarifa or El Palmar for the weekend. As for the future, Conrad seeks world domination. "I know it's a bit far-reaching but I would like to become Saatchi's next protégé, and if all else fails I might just become a surfing beach bum," he laughs. The world of art has a new contender: watch this space.

THE H! QUESTIONNAIRE

What smells do you remember from your childhood?
Hay - lived in the countryside

What was your favourite subject in school?
Geography

What person, still alive, do you admire most?
My Mum

And not alive...?
Winston Churchill

What's your idea of perfect happiness?
Not having to worry about money

What element of modern life gives you the most problems?
Money

What's the worst thing about being a man?
Losing one's hair

What word or phrase do you use most?
"No, sorry, I can't drop the price of the painting."

What scares you most?
Losing family

What book would you always have in your library?
Moby Dick

What's the last film you saw at the cinema?
300

What's the last CD you bought?
The Kooks

What's the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
Breakfast!

And the last thing you think about when you go to sleep at night?
Must set alarm clock

What section of the paper do you read first each day?
News

How much time are you connected to the Internet each day?
Two hours

What's one thing you don't leave home without?
Mobile phone

What alternative profession would you like to have taken up?
Marine biologist

If you could travel in time, what era would you choose?
Sixties, of course!

What's the most exotic place you've visited?
Fiji

Favourite...
Number? 13
Colour? Red
Animal? Siberian Tiger
Flower? White lily
Sport? Surfing
Meal? Thai food
Hobby/pastime? Surfing
Luxury? Ben & Jerry's ice cream

Star sign? Aquarius (26 January 1974)

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