Sal Jones: Creating emotively-driven figurative oil paintings

Working primarily with oil paint on canvas fine artist Sal Jones explores her fascination with our relationship with representation; particularly with regard to human expression and communication. Her emotionally charged paintings, portraying often fictional subjects which she sources from the world of cinema, media and popular culture, capture the action of expression out of context whilst transforming the stereotypical portrait.

Sal is one of a small group of artists who regularly works with BobCat Gallery, a small scale gallery specialising in original art at affordable prices.

Here we chat with her about her journey so far…

Tell us more about your journey into the art world.

I grew up in the East Midlands, and from a young age I loved making art – cutting up, gluing, doodling… though I didn’t start studying art formally until A level. I then did a Foundation course and a BA Hons in Fine Art, after which I moved to London and worked on various creative projects before embarking on a PGCE in Art & Design, so I could also work in education.

I undertook artist residencies in schools and spent several years teaching Art and Design. Currently, as well as being a self-employed artist, I work as a freelance Museum Educator and exam board Assessment Associate.

Over the last 10 years I have been exhibiting regularly in group and solo shows, and have been selected for annual open exhibitions with ING Discerning Eye, Society of Women Artists and Royal Cambrian Academy; shortlisted for the Wells Contemporary Art Prize (2023), Wales Contemporary Art Prize (2022), long listed for the Women’s United Art Prize (2021) and the Jackson’s Open Art Prize (2016) – winning the interim oil painting prize. Works are held in collections in De Montfort University and Space Park Leicester, as well as private collections internationally.

How would you describe your signature style and technique?

Figurative, gestural oil painting; I work in oil on canvas. The work is primarily in the genre of portraiture but unlike traditional portraiture, there are no sitters. My paintings focus on our relationship with representation and explore human reaction and empathy on a personal level. I am particularly drawn to a gesture captured rather than traditional poses, those unguarded moments; I work from photographs and found images, inspired and influenced by cinematography. My subjects are mostly women (often fictional or notorious).

I work on both a large and a small scale; the size and surface I am working on also dictates the processes used. Sometimes painted rapidly in one go (alla prima) other times built up over a period of time and altered as they progress. I paint directly on the canvas (or surface) then build up layers from washes to more gestural mark making, often combining brushwork with palette knife, inventing colour palettes and marks that are emotive to the subject and experimenting with mark making and tools to apply the paint.

Can you tell us about your latest work? Where did you find inspiration and what is the story behind it?

I’m working on some biopic subjects and performances. My latest piece, still a work in progress, is the largest painting I’ve done for a while. The composition has 4 women figures lounging in a room, a luxurious bedroom suite, each of them looking in different directions. Occupying the same physical space but psychologically occupying a different one, in their own worlds.

That’s the overriding theme of the painting, being present in body not mind. It’s late night – perhaps the end of a party… remnants of champagne and cigarettes visible in the foreground. The painting takes its inspiration from the 2021 biopic Madame Claude, (about the notorious 1960’s French brothel owner). I am still deciding on the title. I have a couple of ideas, it will either be from dialogue or a reference to an art historical work.

Are there any exhibitions or events you are planning in near future?

I have a couple of things coming up later in London, one of which will be with BobCat Gallery in Mayfair this May. I also regularly exhibit with ArtCan, an international organisation dedicated to supporting artists in their practice.

Unfortunately I have to move out of my studio by May, along with the artists I share with, so this is my priority at the moment. I have been in my current studio for 10 years so it’s going to be a big upheaval.

What is the best advice you’ve been given as an artist?

Oh goodness, I don’t know… the best advice is usually common sense anyway… It’s hard to please everyone, so don’t try – go with your instinct…. and always read the smallprint!

For more information please visit: saljonesart.com

Follow Sal Jones on Instagram: @senojlas

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