Jonathan Queen’s oil paintings captivate with their exquisite rendering and masterful use of light, creating narratives that are both visually arresting and deeply evocative. His ability to transform ordinary objects into compelling storylines elevates the traditional still-life genre, imbuing each piece with a sense of mystery and nostalgia.
A trained artist with a BFA from the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, Queen initially explored illustration, portraiture, and mural painting before shifting his focus to gallery work in 2003. His meticulous still-life compositions have since been showcased in numerous group exhibitions and private collections, solidifying his reputation as a painter of remarkable technical skill and conceptual depth.
Beyond the canvas, Queen’s work has extended into large-scale public art projects, most notably his impressive 15m x 27m trompe l’oeil mural for the Kroger corporate headquarters in 2012. His talent for storytelling through painted imagery was further highlighted in 2015 when he was commissioned to create 16 central panels for the Carol Ann Carousel, a centerpiece of Cincinnati’s park system.
At the heart of Queen’s practice is a fascination with the familiar—vintage objects, everyday items, and elements of nature—all carefully arranged to spark curiosity. Through subtle manipulations such as swapping heads, sculpting new features, or repurposing props, he constructs narratives that transcend their physical components. As Queen himself notes, “toys in the right setting become complex characters with a deeper story to tell.” Indeed, his paintings invite viewers to step into a world where inanimate objects take on unexpected meaning, proving that still-life, in the right hands, can be anything but still.
