Ian Jones & the Art of Reinvention

Step into a room with one of Ian Jones’s paintings, and it is almost impossible not to feel like the clouds have parted and the sun has broken through. His canvases practically hum with positive energy: chaotic, dreamlike underpaintings awash in color give way to bold, crisp geometric shapes that snap into focus. It is abstract art with a playful edge, and carries a clear purpose. “I want my work to brighten people’s lives,” Jones says, and with each non-repeating pattern and vivid splash of color, he delivers on that promise.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Ian firsthand and was affected by his enthusiasm as much as I was drawn in by his passion for the work. He began his artistic journey in high school as a member of a punk rock band that not only toured but also recorded and released multiple albums. This was not your typical high school garage band. They were dedicated, disciplined, and highly motivated to succeed. They continued on in college, but the inevitable split happened, and Ian found himself floundering a bit without that creative outlet. He kept writing, recording, and playing music on his own, but it wasn’t enough to pay the bills.

In addition to his music, he also began to paint during this time. He had already designed the album covers for his band, but now he really delved into the medium and discovered his true passion. He took a day job in masonry and scratched his creative itch by painting in his off hours. The 2008 housing market crash, unfortunately, put an end to his masonry career, but also inspired him to go back to school to study art. It was there that he was introduced to ceramics and pottery, which put him on his current career path and led him to become a production potter for Wolf Ceramics in Hood River. He’s been there now for two years and absolutely loves the work.

Ian has never stopped painting, though. Alongside his personal work, he spent years on a team subcontracted for projects with Disney and Universal in Orlando, among others. His work can be seen in murals all over the biggest amusement parks in Florida. Since moving to Oregon in 2023, he has become quite prolific. He now prioritizes his painting over everything but the pottery work he does for Wolf Ceramics. His next endeavor is to combine the two disciplines! Imagine: his beautiful pottery, plates, mugs, painted with his unique, colorful, abstract images and designs. It’s an exciting proposition, but one we’ll have to wait patiently to see!

In the meantime, discover Ian’s work on display and for sale at Marcel in White Salmon. You can also check out his brand new website: taffy4ever.com or follow him on Instagram: dolomite_78.