Mary Jones’ paintings and drawings are filled with elongated figures that twist through layered compositions of collage, text fragments, and quirky perspectives. Her work carries a playful unpredictability and rich visual storytelling.

A native of Chicago, Jones has been making art for as long as she can remember. In her mind there is a relationship between walking, writing and drawing. It’s all a form of her creating a story. The people she encounters add to her rich storytelling.  The backgrounds are meticulously drawn and layered with litter she collects during her walks.

In her “Fabulist” series, stories unfold through a cast of imagined characters who navigate dreamlike landscapes built from collage, memory, pattern, and plans. These figures travel through their narratives in search of deeper truths. In Jones’ world, a drawing table is green, a house becomes a reflection of the self, and coffee cups provide fuel. When a catamount (a cougar, panther, or mountain lion) appears in the city, it becomes the evening news and wild cats are common, and threatening as ghosts

In addition to receiving numerous awards for her art, Jones has illustrated several educational books. She holds a BFA from the University of Illinois and an MFA from Indiana University.