Shields Landon “S. L.” Jones: Marks of the Hand

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      Shields Landon Jones was born and raised in Indian Mill, a small community in Franklin County, West Virginia. His parents were sharecroppers who eventually purchased their own farm in Summers County. As a boy, Jones spent his days hunting and whittling animals from wood. He was a self-taught musician, mastering the fiddle and banjo, and by his preteens, he had already won a local music contest. In 1918, Jones began working for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad as a laborer and carpenter. He continued with the company until his retirement in 1967, when the railroad transitioned from steam to diesel-powered locomotives. He had four children with his first wife, who passed away in 1969. After her death, he built a workshop behind his home in Pine Hill, West Virginia, and returned to his childhood hobby of carving. 

     Jones’s early wood sculptures were crafted from black maple, walnut, and soft yellow poplar. His small, expressive figures—often depicting farmers, hunters, fiddlers, and preachers—feature foreshortened torsos and intricately carved heads. He meticulously refined the details of both humans and animals, first using a bowie knife and later employing a chisel and rasp. Having taken a painting class at the YMCA before his retirement, Jones also created drawings using ink, graphite, pastel, and crayon. In a 1989 interview on the Today show, Jones said, "I just love to do the work... I meet lots of people." In his later years, when his physical abilities limited his carving, he focused on pastel and pen drawings of faces, cats, pigs, and horses. Jones passed away in 1997 at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of craftsmanship and a unique artistic vision that continues to inspire.

Exhibition Specifications:

Number of works: 

• 42 framed drawings in a range of sizes—the largest at 26" x 30" and the smallest at 16" x 12".
• 1 sculpture 15” H × 5” W × 7” D.

Size of Exhibition:

• Up to 1500 Square ft. is recommended.
• The exhibition can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of your gallery.

Shipping & Insurance

• The borrower is responsible for all shipping arrangements and costs. A list of cost-effective shipping partners can be provided upon request.
• x1 C-Bin 60" L x 25" W x 28" L

Loan Duration: 

• 8-24 weeks. 
• Exhibition loan durations are customizable to best suit your institution’s timeline.

Labels & Didactics:

• Venues responsibility to create and print labels and didactic info.

Security

• Moderate security required.

Hardware

• Detailed installation instructions, and special hardware travels with the exhibition.

Credit Line:

• Private Collection

Availability: 

• January 2026 onward

Fees:

• Price available upon request