Growing up in Spokane, Washington, Ott Jones’
interest in art, wildlife and outdoor adventure was kindled as a young
boy. "As far back as I can remember dad and I were hunkered down in a
blind at the duck club, walking the fields for upland birds and wading
the streams fly fishing for trout. Because of these great experiences,
I developed a deep appreciation and fascination for wildlife as well as
a lifetime passion for the great outdoors. At an early age, I began
drawing and sculpting the animals and birds I observed. From the start,
mom and dad have always encouraged my interest in art. They were also
very involved with the Spokane Western Art Show which exposed me to
sculpture and painting at an early age."
Attending Washington State University on a
tennis scholarship, Ott studied biology and art. After graduation, he
worked as a fishing guide on the Alaskan Peninsula for three summers
and one year in the Prudhoe Bay oil fields on the Arctic Ocean as a
welder’s helper. "Alaska with its abundant wildlife and vast wilderness
has provided me with a life-time of memories and inspiration. It has
truly been one of the greatest influences on my art career."
Over the years, Ott has exhibited in dozens of museums across the nation and participated in hundreds of shows including
Allied Artists Of America,
C.M. Russell Show, National Sculpture Society, Society Of Animal
Artists, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and Waterfowl Festival. He is
a member of the professional organizations - Allied Artists Of America,
Montana Professional Artists Association and Society Of Animal Artists.
His work can be found in thousands of private and corporate collections
throughout the world. Today, Ott, his wife Joan and their four children
live on five acres in the Gallatin Valley, outside of Bozeman, where
they built a home and separate studio in 2007.
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