Meet Lizzie Jones: artist, runner, base jumper, and scholar, simply to call a number of of her titles.
If you happen to’ve seen the paintings for the Moab 240 Mile final 12 months or for the latest Moab Path Operating Movie Pageant, that’s all Lizzie. If you happen to’ve been to the desert oasis of Moab, Utah, not too long ago, you’ve possible additionally seen her murals all through city, most not too long ago a rising, vibrant desert scene on the partitions of the Moab Free Well being Clinic. When not portray, she’s out on the paths flowing via the panorama, exploring her connection to the world round her. Whether or not climbing steep trails, working flat roads, leaping off desert towers, or portray, Lizzie is as distinctive as her passions.
Right here is Lizzie:
Have you ever at all times been an artist?
I make jokes that I got here out of the womb with a paintbrush. I’ve been portray since my earliest recollections. My great-grandma was an expert painter, and my dad drew with me on a regular basis once I was a child. I bear in mind trying via his drawings at a very younger age, and I needed to be nearly as good an artist as he was.
How did you get into ultrarunning?
I discovered ultrarunning once I was 23. I had by no means been a runner earlier than, however I met my accomplice, Zach Johnson, who was coaching for the Burning River 100 Mile. I couldn’t consider folks ran that far. I advised him I needed to attempt working, and he satisfied me that I ought to simply attempt the 100-mile distance. My first-ever ultrarunning occasion was the 2022 Scout Mountain 100 Mile, and I used to be hooked. At the moment, I used to be additionally newly sober. I had simply give up smoking cigarettes and was freshly out of rehab. Operating gave me one thing to deal with and helped me to get sober and keep cigarette-free.
Lizzy Jones along with her accomplice Zach Johnson after the 2022 Scout Mountain 100 Mile.
What’s the connection between your working and artwork?
My persona as an artist is clear in the best way I prepare. I’ve by no means used a coach or a structured coaching plan, nor do I take into consideration issues so concretely. I’m fairly whimsical and spontaneous with my exercises. I attempt to at all times simply have enjoyable! That is true with my artwork as properly. Pleasure is my primary precedence with each.
What are some running-related artwork tasks you’re engaged on?
I created a big path working portray to raffle on the Moab Path Operating Movie Pageant this 12 months. Eszter Horanyi, iRunFar’s managing editor, moderated our elite athlete panel on the occasion, and she or he ended up profitable it! I used to be additionally the artist who did the ending prints and work for the Moab 240 Mile final 12 months, and I will likely be doing ending award work for the Moab Operating Up for Air occasion subsequent 12 months!
The portray raffled off on the Moab Path Operating Movie Pageant.
Who’re your inspirations in life, artwork, and working?
My Dad, my accomplice, and my neighborhood. My dad raised me to be robust and resilient; my accomplice, Zach, pushes me as each my companion and competitors; and my native working neighborhood and associates encourage me day by day.
You’re learning faith and philosophy. How does that translate to your work?
Philosophy and faith surprisingly match completely into my working and artwork worlds. My favourite runs are lengthy runs alone within the desert. That is the place I spend probably the most time contemplating my spirituality and philosophies, and brainstorming existential concepts. My paintings is usually a mirrored image of those identical ideas. I like to painting non secular imagery and nature in sentient methods, and I attempt to visually seize the interconnected nature of the universe.
Lizzy Jones engaged on a mural on the Moab Free Well being Clinic.
What drew you to portray? Every other media you wish to play with?
Actually, I’d like to say I’ve quite a lot of mediums and pursuits, however acrylic portray is my monogamous love. I picked up acrylic paint in center college, and a instructor advised me, “This might actually be your factor.” I took it to coronary heart, and I’m nonetheless working towards mastery with the acrylic medium, each in small-scale works and enormous mural installations.
How was your first street extremely this winter, and what compelled you to do it?
I used to be compelled to run a flat street extremely this 12 months after the overall chaos on the Ouray 100 Mile final 12 months. The Ouray 100 has 48,000 toes of vertical acquire, and on the end line, I promised myself I’d deal with myself to a flatter, sooner course. I signed up for Jackpot 100 Mile the subsequent day. It was an unbelievable expertise. I completed with a 100-mile PR of 16:29, and I may undoubtedly see myself working flatter programs once more sooner or later. I believe I will likely be on the Javelina 100 Mile subsequent 12 months.
Lizzy climbing within the early miles of the 2025 Ouray 100 Mile.
How did you find yourself in Moab, and the way has that influenced you?
I moved to Moab initially as a result of I used to be very enthusiastic about BASE leaping. Moab is America’s BASE mecca, and dwelling right here gave me the liberty to leap cliffs day by day, legally and proper exterior my home. As I obtained increasingly more enthusiastic about path working, it additionally grew to become the perfect place on the planet to be a path runner. We have now good climate all 12 months, and the La Sal Mountains are solely a 20-minute drive from my home! I’ve additionally develop into the organizer of Moab Run Membership and host Saturday morning path runs for the neighborhood.
Lizzy Jones BASE leaping off a desert tower.
If you happen to may give recommendation to a younger Lizzie, what would you say?
The recommendation I’d give a youthful Lizzie may be to be extra cautious about who she spends time with. Group and relationships could make or break you. I’m fortunate to have the neighborhood I do now as an grownup.
If you happen to might be a tree, what sort of tree would you be?
Weeping willows are my favourite kind of tree, however I’d wish to be the Bodhi Tree beneath which the Buddha grew to become enlightened.
Certainly one of many massive murals in Moab, Utah, created by Lizzy Jones.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever seen any of Lizzy’s artwork out within the wild?
- What components of your neighborhood do you worth probably the most?