Fountain Fine Art

Mike Jones

Mike Jones paints from his studio in the village of Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley. He exhibits widely across Wales and shows regularly at The Albany Gallery, Cardiff , The Attic Gallery, Swansea , Oriel Pen y Fan , Brecon and recently at Fountain Fine Art, Llandeilo.

Born in 1941, Mike is a prolific artist who takes inspiration from the Welsh culture in which he grew up and is heavily influenced by the lives of the people and places of the valley .His subject matter is drawn from his observations both past and present.

Brought up in the mining community of Godre`r-graig his images reflect the hard living conditions that his family and neighbours often had to endure. Paintings and drawings of women scrubbing steps, baking, hanging out washing, or simply sitting sharing a quiet moment with the onlooker, contrast with the granite figures of men who worked in the thriving steel and coal industries, yet both convey the individuality and richness of their lives.
The rugged landscape of the upper valley is boldly interpreted in expressive paintings and drawings of windswept hedgerows of red hawthorn, remnants of old mine workings, isolated farmhouses and old chapel buildings.

During the early nineties Mike met and became friends with two artists he had admired for many years, Will Roberts and Josef Herman.

“I have been familiar with Mike Jones`s work for some years, finding it always good, always imaginative…. Talented and sensitive , he must stand well now with the better Welsh painters.” (Will Roberts 1997)

“The figures in black and white stay on in my mind….I am also impressed with the texture of his oil pastels….he is extremely gifted”. (Josef Herman R.A.; 1998)