Artist Bio

John has had many careers in his life, including working on the railroad, working as a mud man in the drilling industry, and as an oil and gas geologist. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology he worked for many years in the oil and gas industry in Alberta and in Indonesia and Argentina. He studied Indonesian and Spanish while working in those countries. Travel continues to be an important stimulus; John likes the challenge of the new. The training and work experience in geology act as a filter of his view of the world. He is fascinated with natural patterns, especially in the earth and in rocks and minerals.

John is primarily interest is raising metal vessels, exploring form and interior and exterior surface. He is experimenting with patinas and fusing other metals to the metal before raising the vessel.

John graduated from the Jewellery/Metals program at the Alberta College of Art + Design in the spring of 2008. He teaches an Extended Studies program on raised hollowear at ACAD and has been a teaching assistant several terms in the Jewellery/Metals program.

John has participated in several group exhibitions and one solo exhibition, Vessel as Metaphor, in the Marion Nicoll Gallery +15 space. John Smith-Jones’ art work has been published in two books; Wear Art is Fashion and Impressions: moving the surface.