Meet the Artist: Jenny Jones

Step into the wonderfully whimsical world of Jenny Jones — a painter with a passion for storytelling, a soft spot for animals in unusual attire, and a studio nestled on the High Street in Bishops Castle. With over 40 years of professional painting under her belt, Jenny’s creative journey has taken her from Farnham art school to representing Wales at the Celtic Festival, to illustrating books set in Ludlow.

But let’s start at the beginning.

The Early Days

“I’ve always painted,” Jenny says. “Mostly when I was a child - animals in anthropomorphic situations, my donkey dressed in a bikini or the dog in a suit, that sort of thing!”She admits she once dreamed of being a vet, but her school wasn’t exactly big on the sciences, so art school was an easy choice.

That choice led her to a degree at Farnham, and the start of a life in the arts.

A Creative Career, and a Few Detours

Jenny has worked as a professional artist for around 40 years, exhibiting widely and developing a distinctive voice. After moving to Wales, she found herself fitting right in: “I became a very Welsh artist, with the perfect name, and represented Wales at the Celtic Festival in the early nineties.”

She was also spotted by Macmillans and moved into book illustration, working with various publishers for around a decade. Most recently, she’s illustrated a pair of books by Archie Hunter set in Ludlow.

These days, however, she’s happily back to painting, and exhibits from her home in Bishops Castle.

Inspiration & Process

Where do Jenny’s ideas come from? “People spotted, animals around, moments and images appreciated - rather hard to say exactly,” she muses. “One painting will lead to another. Sometimes I just sit down with a sketchbook and draw whatever comes into my head until I like something.”

She prefers to work on several pieces at once, often keeping a few in her peripheral vision, letting them ‘simmer’ until it’s clear what they need.

Tools of the Trade

Jenny now works mostly in oil paints, though she uses watercolour and acrylics for quicker studies and plein air painting. During lockdown, she experimented with gouache for still lives.

Favourite Subjects

“I am most interested in people - and the relationship between people and animals in the landscape.”

It’s a theme that connects her childhood drawings to her more recent works, and one that continues to evolve.

Studio Life

Jenny works from a studio in her home on the High Street in Bishops Castle. Her schedule is relaxed and intuitive: “In the day, whenever I can get myself into my studio.”

There’s no daily routine, no beverage in the mug, no preferred snack - just the creative space, some good light, and Radio 4 playing in the background: “Companionable but not very elevated!”

Turning Points & Memorable Moments

Moving house has often marked a shift in Jenny’s work. A bigger studio in Wales encouraged her to make larger pieces, while her current studio in Bishops Castle has brought new focus. One pivotal day came during a charcoal drawing course with Cecily Sash.

“She was a very strong character… I think if I’d spent too much time with her it might have been difficult to remain true to myself,” Jenny laughs, “but she was a fantastic teacher and I learnt more in a morning than in three years at art school!”

The Ideal Creative Day

When asked what her perfect creative day looks like, Jenny answers simply:

“Just happily working in my studio or garden.”

We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into the creative world of Jenny Jones – a painter whose work captures the quiet charm, humour, and humanity of everyday life, often with a four-legged companion or two in tow.

Whether she’s working in oils in her Bishops Castle studio, reminiscing about her time illustrating books, or sketching new characters from the corner of her eye, Jenny brings a unique voice to everything she creates.

If you'd like to see more of Jenny’s work, follow her online or get in touch:

• 🌐 Website: jennyjonesart.wordpress.com

• 📸 Instagram: @jennyshortears