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About the Artist | Jon Ross
As a proud Canadian, born in Grande Prairie Alberta, my family moved to Calgary in 1972 where I live today, sharing life with my love Krista and our wonderful children, Jonas, Kaylee, Kyle and Cale. My interest in all things visual was strong from an early age. Drawing was what I enjoyed most as a child, and it remains one of my favourite ways to spend time.
Encouraged and nurtured in my youth to create through drawing, painting, sculpture, jewellery and many other mediums and art forms, my entire family have had a lasting influence on who I have become as an artist. Continuing my education in and appreciation of the arts, I attended Alberta College of Art & Design (now AU Arts) and graduated with a diploma in Visual Communications in 1993.
Having crafted hundreds of privately commissioned portraits, landscapes, corporate logos and identities over the past 30+ years as an artist and designer, I take the most pride in exceeding the expectations of my clients and patrons.
Receiving my first easel as child handmade by my Grandfather (left), was a cherished gift that remains part of my toolkit that set me down the path I am on today. The desire to constantly learn has kept me curious to continue growing and changing as an artist. Influenced by the written word, music, film, all types of photography and art, my work reflects the world I see and experience, while constantly striving to capture the inward significance of any chosen subject matter.
As any artist can attest, nothing satisfies quite the same as pleasing others with your creations. My goal is to devote more time visualizing the world as I see it by creating memorable and inspiring work that stimulates and questions while leaving it’s interpretation open to the viewer.
“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others ”
Salvador Dali
Frequently Asked Artist Questions:
Do you do commissions?
Yes, commissions have been my primary ‘bread & butter’ for most of my sideline career as an artist and designer. Please feel free to reach out and inquire with specifically what you would like drawn, painted, designed or photographed.
How do commissions work?
Most often I work from photographic reference, provided it’s your own image to ensure there are no copyright issues. Additionally, I am also a photographer and can shoot your subject matter if preferred. I can compose multiple images into one final image as the basis for the work (as in a portrait of several people/pets etc.) I can also do the same with virtually any subject matter (landscape, still life etc.) as I use photo editing software to compose and share a ‘comp/draft’ with my clients prior to starting the piece. For commissions, I request 30% payment upfront as a deposit, then the remainder as mutually agreed upon.
How do you price your commission/paintings?
After consulting and researching how many other artists price their work, I charge by the square inch as it provides a consistent and fair way to charge. I charge varying rates by medium - painting/oil | drawing/charcoal | photography.
How long have you been interested in art, painting, drawing, design and photography?
Since a child I’ve been drawing and creating visually. My family have been nurturing and supportive all my life and I have maintained my ‘pencil on the paper’ by primarily producing commissioned work all throughout my 21 year professional career in Sales and Marketing with Coca-Cola and Agropur.
What is your primary choice of medium?
As I paint in the alla prima style, a method of painting in which pigments are laid on in a single application instead of being built up by repeated paintings, I most often paint in oil given it’s slow drying nature. My other main medium of choice is charcoal, which I use regularly for portraiture as a client favourite looking for high realism. As yet, I have not met a medium I could not work with, so if you have a specific preference, please reach out to me to discuss.
What paper is your art and photograph printed on and what inks do you use?
Art prints come on Legacy 100% cotton fibre, archival quality OBA free legacy matte finish paper using Claria 6 colour high definition inks from Epson
Photo prints come on Legacy 100% cotton fibre, archival quality OBA free legacy lustre finish paper using Claria 6 colour high definition inks from Epson
How do your design services work - what is the process?
Assessment: Design work is built on understanding what my clients visual needs are. Time is set up to meet (virtual/in-person) and gain an understanding of what problems clients need solved visually and determine the scope of the work required.
Brief: Q&A sessions are set up to define the problem clearly, then formal client brief draft is shared along with cost estimates and deliverable timing as mutually agreed. Draft is finalized in consultation with client known as FINAL Brief.
Execution: Deliverable elements are shared with client based on brief and edits/adjustments made as necessary and based on budget available. Final products are provided to the client in the formats required and as negotiated.
Do you teach or offer on-line workshops?
I do not currently, but will consider it if there is interest expressed through my Inquiry page - please do let me know, thank you.
Thank you for your interest.
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