Artist, Sculpture | Read Artist Bio

Artist Bio:

Ott Jones, a full-time professional sculptor for 35 years, has created a diverse collection of wildlife and sporting sculpture. He is in prominent corporate and private collections around the world, including Beretta Firearms, Eddie Bauer, Garmin, L.L. Bean, Nikon, Orvis, Patagonia, Simms, Winchester and Zeiss Optics, to name a few. He was honored in having Queen Elizabeth II acquire “Birth Of The Labrador”, a sculpture depicting Labradors retrieving cod for British fisherman in the 1500’s and 1600’s.

A member of Allied Artists of America and Society of Animal Artists, he was honored to win the Gold Medal of Honor at Allied Artists in 2022 for his otter monument, “River Rascals”, the Ranieri Sculpture Award in 2021 for “Survival Of The Fittest” and Gilbert & Marion Roller Award in 2020 for his blue heron monument, “Queen Of The Waterway”.

He has participated in numerous juried shows and museum exhibitions including, Brinton Museum, C.M. Russell Museum, High Desert Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, National Museum of Wildlife Art, National Sculpture Society, Red River Valley Museum and Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.

“In creating sculpture, I strive to capture the beauty of my subject’s form and essence of their personality, while incorporating these qualities into a strong composition. A lifetime of observing animals has provided me with firsthand knowledge of wildlife in their natural habitat. This is crucial for me in portraying my subjects’ accurately in sculpture, both
anatomically and physiologically.”

Over his career, Ott has placed dozens of life-size and monumental sculptures throughout the country. Two of his most notable pieces are the fly fisherman and Labrador retriever, “Stream Side Companions” at the Bozeman/Yellowstone International Airport and “Jim Bridger – King Of The Mountain Men” monument at Bozeman’s Chamber of Commerce.

Growing up in Spokane, Washington, he has been a wildlife enthusiast and avid outdoorsman since he was a boy. Ott attended Washington State University on a tennis scholarship. After graduating, he went to Alaska and worked as a fishing guide for three summers and one year as a welder’s helper in Prudhoe Bay. It was during this period he realized that sculpting was his passion. Ott, his wife Joan of 35 years, and their four children live in Bozeman, Montana. “I’m so fortunate to call Montana my home. It’s a wonderful place to raise a family and work as a sculptor. The abundant wildlife, wilderness, and resources provide me with endless ideas and inspiration.”

Related Images: