Ivan is a pastel artist living and working in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside, having been brought up in Nottinghamshire. He was introduced to pastel as a teenager by a friend of his father's and in fact still has remnants of his first set of pastels.
At 16, Ivan chose a career as a veterinary surgeon, rather than go to art college. However, in his retirement he pursued his interest in the creative arts, specialising in pastel as his chosen medium, and his understanding of animals allows him to add something extra to his artworks.
Modern pastels and pastel pencils allow for more detailed artworks with increased depth and vibrancy. Ivan makes full use of this to create a style that is unique to him. Today commission work occupies much of his time, with subjects ranging from portraits and pet portraits, to landscapes, and vintage and racing cars.
Ivan has completed a large number of artworks in the past 21 years, many of which can be seen on his website www.ivanjonesart.co.uk
He admires the work of many artists including the Impressionists, Pre-Raphaelites, David Shepherd, Simon Coombes and many of his contemporaries.
Ivan has exhibited widely in Herefordshire and will be displaying his artworks at home during Herefordshire Art Week, September 2nd to 10th 2023.