Phil Jones’ current interest in fiber art began in 1990 when he created several panels for the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. He then began making art quilts—intended as wall hangings, as opposed to the traditional bed quilt—as a broader creative pursuit. Having learned to sew on his grandmother’s treadle sewing machine when he was 5 years old, Phil pursued clothing construction starting in his late teens. It was natural, then, to make the transition to using fiber as an expressive medium in adulthood.

Phil’s interest in art began in his teens. After studying the Impressionist masters in school, he spent a summer in Europe as an exchange student. During this time, he had the opportunity to gain exposure to many other art genres. He has been influenced by the Western art world, as well as through his studies of Eastern Asian and indigenous art forms. He has undertaken extended studies of traditional as well as non-traditional art and craft forms. 

Employing various surface design techniques—including hand-dyeing and painting—Jones’ work is implemented with textiles and fibers using a combination of hand and machine methods. Working in series, Jones explores ideas and themes in his medium. As a crossover artist, he experiments with fine art aesthetics and techniques through a traditional craft medium.