Don Jones
DONALD JONES
1935-2018
Yukon, OK
As far back as he could remember, Donald was fascinated by art. One of his earliest influences came from the comic strips his father read to him. Afterward, Donald would lie on the floor and draw the characters himself, already captivated by the power of images and storytelling.
His first art award came at the age of six, when he won first place in a poster competition open to students in grades one through six. The prize was a dollar bill, which he promptly spent on a bottle of ink and a fountain pen—tools that encouraged his growing passion for drawing. Remarkably, he still owned that pen when he passed away.
During junior high school, Donald’s parents further encouraged his interest by enrolling him in a mail-order art instruction course. After graduating from high school, he pursued formal training in art and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Information Design from the University of Oklahoma in 1958. While completing his studies, he worked summers as a roughneck on oil drilling rigs.
After graduation, Donald entered the field of illustration, where he built a successful career. Throughout the years he continued to study and refine his craft, attending workshops including one with noted painter Sergei Bongart.
During his illustration career he became familiar with acrylic paints and developed a strong appreciation for their versatility. He continued to use acrylics throughout his painting career. In the early 1980’s, he began entering national juried exhibitions, where his work was included in many major competitive shows across the United States. These included exhibitions at The Butler Institute of American Art; Allied Artists of America; Audubon Artists, Inc.; the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic; the Society of Illustrators Annual; Watercolor U.S.A.; and the Rocky Mountain National.
Donald was drawn to subjects that were accessible and familiar, often attracted by striking light effects and strong design possibilities. He frequently worked in series, beginning with pencil or marker sketches and color notes that guided the final studio painting. During the process he would simplify or adjust elements to strengthen the composition and overall design.
He was a member of the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic; Audubon Artists, Inc. (oil category); Rocky Mountain National Water Media; and the Watercolor USA Honor Society. His work was featured in the Society of Illustrators Annual Illustrators 29 and in The Best of Acrylic Painting published by Rockport Publishers in 1996. He was also listed in Who’s Who in American Art.
