Rick Jones

From Great Lakes Wiki

The Green Man by Rick Jones, carved on moose antler. All rights reserved

An eagle carved into moose antler by Rick Jones. All rights reserved

By Carol Navarro

Rick Jones is a Lansing native and Vietnam Vet who ended up in Benzie County.

He carves a lizard, scales and all, out of deer antler.

He says he gets inspiration for his work from nature and mythology. He uses clay and any material he can carve a face into.

"Carving is not as forgiving," Jones says. "You can't send it back."

He holds up a work in progress: a set of moose antlers. An eagle's head has been carved as if the outer layer of antler was simply peeled back to reveal its white crown.

Jones admits that he doesn't fall into an artistic category but he does have his own philosophy:

"Art is about creating the illusion of something that isn't there."

Having good tracking skills helps to find this man. But,although Jones doesn't have a website, (he doesn't even own a computer) his work, including The Green Man, can be seen at Ward & Eis Gallery. 315 E. Lake Street. Petoskey, MI 49770 (231)347-2750.

Jones is also the percussionist for the group Song of the Lakes. Many of the instruments he plays are hand crafted by him.