Ross Jones

“Glittering Prize continues the story of Alice, our Labradoodle, now older and wiser. She stands at the edge of the diving board, elevated above the pool, peering down with calm intent. Below, the last tennis ball floats, half-submerged, catching the light as it drifts across the blue surface. Close, yet unreachable, the moment is charged with quiet expectation rather than action. This is not a painting about the jump, but the pause before it, and the understanding that sometimes waiting is better.

Alice once would not have hesitated. In her younger days, water held no consequences.

She would have leapt without thought, splashing wildly, driven by instinct and joy.

At twelve, Alice understands effort, reward, and conserving energy. She knows the rules: if she waits, someone else will retrieve the ball. The glittering prize will come.

The composition reinforces this standoff. The diving board lifts Alice into a position of authority; the ladder forms rigid geometry against the hedge and soft reflection. Pool tiles emphasise stillness. Even the lined tennis balls recall previous victories.

Colour tells the story: cool blues dominate, while greens protect; warm light catches Alice’s fur and the ball, making it shimmer. Its reflection hints at the younger Alice, the one who might have misjudged consequences. Now she watches, aware that not everything that glitters requires pursuit.

Glittering Prize is about restraint, limits, and trust. Alice trusts she need not do everything herself. Ageing is refinement: wisdom replaces impulse, patience replaces urgency. The game will continue, but for now, Alice waits, steady and assured, knowing the glittering prize is already hers.” – Ross Jones

Artist Bio

Ross Jones is a contemporary painter creating works that evoke a heady sense of nostalgia and elevated playfulness.

Working from his studio overlooking the Hauraki Gulf north of Auckland, Jones’ fusion of playful realism incorporates elements of the surreal. Each meticulously devised painting offers hints at various narratives as the artist invites the viewer to engage with his role as storyteller.

“I love the phrase “Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story,” so as you view my paintings, don’t let your imagination stop you from seeing the bigger picture. How far the journey takes you is entirely up to you.” – Ross Jones

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