About

DeVaughn Jerrell (b. 1994) is a self taught artist whose creative roots were nurtured early in life. Growing up in a home where creativity and music were constant influences, Jerrell discovered his passion for the visual arts at the age of 6.

Growing up back & forth between Darby, PA & Middletown, DE, DeVaughn experienced two distinct cultural environments that deeply shaped his perspective. This contrast informed his early interest in exploring the human condition, which he primarily investigates through portraiture.

DeVaughn developed his current style by studying artists like Caravaggio, John Singer-Sargent, Kehinde Wiley, Barkley L. Hendricks, and many others. Drawn to their dramatic compositions, humanistic themes, and reverence for the figure, he sought to join the ongoing dialogue while cultivating a voice distinctly his own.

Music plays a central role in his work. Jerrell frequently incorporates song titles and musical references as narrative devices, creating layered meanings and nodding to the tradition of sampling within hip-hop culture. He similarly references historical paintings, recontextualizing them to highlight contemporary subjects and overlooked themes.

Through years of disciplined practice, Jerrell began selling his work locally at the age of 16. By 25, his collector base had grown internationally. Now at 31, his works can be found in shops, galleries, and museums along the East Coast, as well as in the homes of collectors around the world.