Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Jones.
Hi Andrew, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Honestly, art has always been part of me. I was that kid doodling in the margins of every notebook and staying up late just to sketch. It was how I made sense of the world and how I expressed things I didn’t have words for. Throughout high school, art was the dream — it was all I wanted to do.
But life doesn’t always follow a straight line. I ended up in the corporate world. I worked hard, climbed the proverbial ladder, and did all the things you’re ‘supposed’ to do. On paper, it looked great — but inside, I never felt fulfilled. No matter what I achieved, there was always a voice reminding me something was missing. And that something was art.
In 2023, I finally decided to listen to that voice. With the support of my family, I left the comfort and security of corporate life to go all in on my art career. It was scary — I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t — but it also felt like I was rediscovering myself.
Now, I don’t see my career as a finish line to cross, but as a journey — one where I’m constantly learning, experimenting, and surprising myself. For the first time, I feel like I’m truly in alignment with who I am. I’m meant to create.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nope, definitely not a smooth road. Leaving the corporate world was exciting, but it also came with a lot of uncertainty. I had to adjust to not having steady income or a clear roadmap for what success was supposed to look like — and that alone was a huge mental shift. On top of that, I balance running my art business with running a real estate business, so there’s this constant back-and-forth between two very different worlds. One day I’m juggling maintenance calls, the next I’m covered in paint — it’s a lot to manage.
There have definitely been moments of self-doubt and financial stress, and days where I’ve wondered if I was completely crazy for taking this leap. In the corporate world, things felt predictable. Now, there’s so much unknown — but that’s also where the growth happens. I’ve had to learn to trust myself, to get comfortable with risk, and to figure things out as I go.
Navigating the art world has brought its own set of challenges too. From battling insecurity about my work to making tough decisions about where to show and how to align my art, it’s been a constant process of trial and error.
It hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has made me stronger and reminded me why I chose this path in the first place. I’d rather have a messy, unpredictable journey that feels true to me than a smooth road that never quite fit. Even with the struggles, I wouldn’t trade it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an oil painter, and I specialize in working with a palette knife. My focus is landscapes, but I don’t just paint what I see — I use texture and color to explore the human condition through the natural world. Working with a palette knife and using impasto techniques allows me to create thick, tactile layers that really give the paintings a life of their own. That texture is something I think sets my work apart — it’s not just about what you see, but what you feel when you experience the piece up close.
What makes my work what it is comes from all the pieces of my life — the experiences I’ve had, the journeys I’ve taken, and even the chaos of balancing my art with a real estate business. That mix of perspective, experimentation, and personal growth shows up in the textures, forms, and colors — in the way I try to capture emotion without being literal.
I’m constantly inspired by how landscapes can reflect human experience — the quiet moments, the tension, the feeling of being small in a vast world. Through my work, I try to capture that feeling, blending reality with emotional truth.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just a single painting or exhibition — it’s having taken the leap to invest in myself and my work, even when it was uncertain or scary. That risk, that commitment to following my own path, is what really matters to me. I am so grateful when someone pauses in front of a piece in a gallery, scrolls through images online, or shares a reaction. Those moments remind me why I create — they make all the risk and effort feel completely worth it, and they keep me creating, experimenting, and pushing myself forward.
For anyone who wants to experience my work in person, it can be seen at the Leawood Fine Art Gallery at 11709 Roe Avenue Suite A in Leawood Kansas. More information can be found at their website https://leawoodfineart.com/.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think the art world is always evolving, and I see a few interesting shifts over the next 5-10 years. One big trend is how digital platforms are changing the way people discover and engage with art — social media, online galleries, and virtual exhibitions are making it easier for artists to connect directly with audiences. At the same time, I think people are craving authentic, tactile experiences, which is where traditional mediums like painting really shine. I think there is or will be a renewed appreciation for the physicality of art — the textures, colors, and layers you can’t get on a screen.
I feel like people want to connect with the experiences and emotions behind the work, not just the final piece. That’s exciting for artists like me, because it allows us to share not just our creations, but our journeys, perspectives, and voices.
Overall, I think the next decade will be about blending accessibility with authenticity — finding new ways to reach audiences while still keeping the human, emotional connection at the center of what art is all about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andrewjjonesart.com/
- Instagram: @andrewjjonesart
- Facebook: @andrewjjonesart
