Artist and interior designer Jimmy Reeves has long captivated Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt with his talents. As the owner of Dragon Court – a business he first began in California – Reeves’ reputation and his eye for art are legendary, both locally and globally. Learn more about Reeves, his life’s work and journey, and his latest artistic creations.
Share a little about yourself … where you grew up, your interests in interior design and art, and what you’re doing these days
I am from a small town in northern Louisiana. Very rural, and I loved the things that grew there on my grandparents’ farm. I guess I was like a sponge and had to make things from nature.
As I attended Louisiana Tech, I was fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful people who had traveled the world and shared their experiences and stories with me. That’s when my love of exceptional and beautiful things really began. Again my “sponge” began soaking up more and more desires to learn about the finer things in life.
I was fortunate to work for Ethan Allen for 26 years. During that time, I was able to travel to so many different countries and again meet more incredible people who shared their stories and knowledge with me. Wow, was I in love with learning.
Little did I know where my heart was leading me. While I lived in San Francisco, I opened Dragon Court. I traveled to Hong Kong, a city of fascinating treasures and interesting people. I began my journey with a dream and a small amount of money to find and buy the best treasures I could. Fortunately, I met a couple in China who sort of took me into their lives, insisting I stay in their home while selecting the treasures for my shop. I was the only person they allowed to wander their buildings and “work” with their craftsmen and artists. Together we developed new designs, which sold to their other customers in Japan, Europe, and the United States. I used to get up early to walk with their son to school so he could learn English from me.
After building my business in San Francisco, I decided to bring Dragon Court to Hattiesburg, and again have the opportunity to meet more wonderful people and make new friends.
As my search for more unique items grew, I traveled to Beijing and visited more shops with a wider range of items. My travels to China enabled me to make friends and meet incredible people who offered me the opportunity to grow my business – and of course, acquire treasures for my own collection. And luckily, learning other languages came easy to me, even Arabic and Japanese. But Mandarin was my most challenging.
What advice would you like to share that you’ve learned through your work and travels?
Anyone can buy things, but learning the stories and history makes it possible to enjoy your things and share them with others. I’ve sold many things that I wish I still had. Ann Baxter, the movie actress, shared with me the story of her grandfather, Frank Loyd Wright. We are here to gather and protect the beautiful to pass them on to others who have the desire to do the same.
Is there a particular item you had and then sold that you still follow?
Of course, I have many special pieces in my private collection that will someday find a new home. But one item I acquired, which took over a year to get, I sold in the foremost antique show in San Francisco. A dealer from New York begged me for days to please sell it to them. It was an incredible cap in black silk, covered in dancing figures made from wire, and covered in kingfisher feathers – a stunning and very prized piece. That little cap has changed hands several times and ended up in the collection of a lady in Chicago who now claims it.
Most recently, you have channeled your creativity into working with shells – where did that inspiration come from?
I’ve always loved and admired things from the sea. Again, I saw special creations made from shells and coral. So, I started a new experience of creating my own custom designs. That experience grew from just arranging shells and other materials from the oceans to now my more challenging creations. My “birds” were really challenging, but so much fun to finish one and start the next. This is where my imagination grew wild and fun. After the birds, I started a small group of figures and they became the next phase of challenges. Of course, they all have names and, as one friend said, exciting personalities. My collection has grown to designing a group of flowers and other creatures from my imagination and dreams.
How would you describe your creative process?
Crazy. I have an imagination beyond my own comprehension. Most of my things, I dream up in the night, wake up, and say, “You can do that.”
What challenges do you face when working with shells and natural materials – especially as they are often fragile and require delicate handling and patience?
Shells do not bend or fold. What most people don’t realize is that most shells that grow in circles only grow in one direction. So how do I work around that? Carefully. I surround myself with many different shapes and sizes of shells. Then, I am inspired by the shape and color of each shell.
Essentially, you are taking inspiration from the source itself?
Exactly. I came up with an idea recently… I had these tiny oyster shells, and I thought they looked just like flower petals. So, I created a Malia orchid. People went crazy over it.
What message or feeling do you hope to convey through your art?
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, and it’s all around us. Just open your eyes and take it in.
Would you say your art is a celebration not only of nature’s beauty, but also a nod to the whimsical and fantastical – often bringing a smile to viewers?
Absolutely. I couldn’t have said it better.
What draws you to art?
I try to see beauty in so many things, and having been exposed to a lot of artists in many different mediums, I’ve learned to appreciate many different things in many different parts of the world.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists who want to work with natural materials?
I think that it’s important to expose yourself to many different artists. Don’t say you can’t do it. You can always try. Educate yourself. Look around at everything, and never stop trying.
In your years of creating and collecting art, what is the most important thing you’ve learned?
We are never too old to keep learning and challenging ourselves to not only create beautiful things, but to also learn how to share them with others. To tell the story is wonderful, but to see the smiles on their faces is the ultimate enjoyment for any artist. The moral is, never stop dreaming!
To discover more about or purchase any of these spectacular pieces, call Jimmy Reeves at 601-325-8866.
