Sonja Jones is a nature and wildlife artist who resides in Rio Verde, Arizona, working primarily in the medium of scratchboard. Her hobbies of photography, birding, and hiking combine nicely with her art endeavors, allowing her to gather both inspiration and reference photos for her artwork while out on her favorite trails. She particularly loves to portray scenes that highlight the dichotomy of the Sonoran desert; the harshness of the environment alongside its beauty, and the struggles of the flora and fauna that make their home there. Although scratchboard is not a new medium, it is still unfamiliar to many people. Scratchboard consists of a kaolin clay tablet that is coated with black India ink. Sonja etches her designs into it with a variety of tools, including craft knives, tattoo needles, and fiberglass brushes, producing stunning black-and-white designs with amazing tonal values and depth. The etched clay is also receptive to adding color back in, which Sonja frequently enjoys, using a combination of colored inks and watercolor paints. Sonja is a signature member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA) and has shown in numerous exhibitions throughout the United States, from local exhibits in the Phoenix area to the prestigious Woodson Museum’s international Birds In Art exhibition.
www.sjonesbyobartwork.com
IG @sjonesbyobartwork
