Over the Shoulder: A Creative Journey Through Family Portraiture
by Fiona Rose Jones
Artist Statement: 
This series started simply as a graduation requirement for my Honors 
minor, but it has evolved into so much more over the last nine months. The 
exhibition features drawings of my closest family members referenced from 
photographs I have taken over the last six years. I sought out photographs 
that were natural, unposed. After I drew my first five pieces, I realized I had 
chosen shots that didn’t reveal the face. I decided to continue with this 
trend and conceal the identity of my family throughout the entire series. The 
drawings took anywhere from three to thirty hours to complete. 
Through the process of drawing my family I’ve had the ability to explore my 
emotional connections with them. In many ways these drawings exhibit the 
essence of our lives together. This series has helped me grow into an artist 
that I didn’t know I could be. It has given me the ability to mature and 
transform from a student to an artist. I finally had the time and freedom to 
explore my art without the influence of others. This freedom allowed me to 
embrace the creativity I needed to overcome challenges and solve artistic
problems. Because of this, I am starting to understand my artistic identity.
I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity. 
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Titles List: 
1. Dad: Wheatland, Wyoming
2. Conor (Brother): Himalayas, India
3. Bri (Sister): Cherrapunji, India
4. Michael (Fiancé): Wheatland, Wyoming
5. Mom & Dad: Jaipur, India
6. Conor & Bri (Brother & Sister): Himalayas, India
7. Bri (Sister): Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, Colorado
8. Self Portrait: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Medium in all pieces is charcoal with pastel on drawing paper, with the 
exception of Piece 6 which was drawn on Arches Cover Paper and Piece 
7 which was drawn on Stonehenge Paper.
If you would like to leave feedback on this series, please follow this link: 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/88BG8M8