Brian J Jones was born in Kent. He was unable to fulfil his early artistic aspirations, training as a chef instead, and enjoying a successful career as head of a catering school. In the late 1990s he decided to paint full-time so he took early retirement and moved to Looe in Cornwall.

He is now a highly regarded marine painter, having undertaken commissions for the Royal Navy and for private collectors in the UK, USA, Europe and the Middle East. His work has been published by Yachting Heritage and he regularly exhibits as a full member with the Royal Society of Marine Artists, exhibiting at their annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.