When and how has art become such an important part of your life?
I have always been creative and, when I am not, I just don't function properly.

Where did you study art?
I am always on the look out for new teachers and influences to inspire and assist the development of my art. I have completed studies with The New York Studio School of Painting, Drawing and Sculpture and the University of South Australia.

Why did you study business?
Studying post graduate business and marketing was an area that I was interested in at the time. Having that background is helpful regardless of what industry I am working in. It also helped pay the bills!

When and why did you decide to draw and paint full time?
While I was working full time I felt creatively stifled and needed an outlet to explore my art. I decided to quit work and hire a studio for one year. That was in 2005. I haven't looked back.

Where do you get your inspiration for your artwork? Are there some recurrent themes you like to explore in your paintings and drawings? Why?
My creative inspiration arises from things that I can relate to or find immense beauty in. Sometimes it is just the way light falls on an object or landscape. I am pretty active so generally it is sport; swimming, skiing or surfing. The physical activity, movement and interaction of people and environment create an abundance of images to explore. If I can't feel a connection to, see or respond to a certain event then I can't paint or draw it.

Where have you exhibited your paintings and drawings? What kind of feedback have you received?
I have had successful solo shows around Melbourne (Depth, At the Pool and Water). Swimming was the premise for these shows which explored the lone lap swimmer and life around the pool. The artworks were well received and the City of Yarra has acquired a piece for their permanent collection.

In 2010 Open Water was at fortyfive downstairs in Melbourne. In February 2011 my New York drawings were on show at Carbon Black Gallery in Prahran and, between May and September 2011, one of my paintings was part of Painting Governors Island, on Governors Island, in New York. It was a show of New York Studio School students and faculty in conjunction with a watercolor class from the National Academy Museum & School, New York.

Various other pieces of artwork have been accepted into art competitions or are in private collections around Australasia.

View Rebecca Jones's curriculum (PDF file, 12KB, 1 page)