Ott Jones, a full-time professional sculptor for 35 years, has created a diverse collection
of wildlife and sporting sculpture. This marks the 35th consecutive year participating in
SEWE. 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, just 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 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”. 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.”