Scotty Jones pairs a curious duo in his fiber art and printmaking. He uses sewing skills his Quaker grandmother taught him and screenprints mid-century modern motifs reminiscent of Andy Warhol on every handbag and accessory he makes.

Scotty calls it functional pop art. Collectors call it amazing.

After creating fresh designs that give a nod to the ’50s or ’60s and are used in the textiles that form the bodies of his totes, backpacks, wallets and handbags, Scotty hand draws images then carefully prints them, one screen at a time, on muslin.

Discovering Warhol’s work sparked Scotty’s fascination with screen printing. His portfolio of nostalgic, imaginative images would make the iconic pop artist proud. They include sunglasses and swimsuit models, vintage TV sets, Sputnik-inspired shapes, and a rocket boy sporting a metal hat and laser gun.

“Rooted in Indiana, my work is inherently connected to the place I have called home my entire life,” says the artist whose Urthy Fiber Art studio is in Kokomo. “The imagery in my screen prints often stems from discovered or rescued vintage photographs featuring unfamiliar individuals.”

Not all the subjects are unfamiliar individuals. An image added when Scotty created motifs to commemorate the total solar eclipse in 2024 features his mother, dressed as a starry-eyed 1950s astronaut.

His work is laborious because he demands high standards of himself. Every piece must be perfectly designed and constructed to withstand use. Integrating artistic approaches borne in commercial art with traditional methods, he hand-pulls screens at a print table, dedicating his attention to each individual piece and meticulously applying ink layer by layer. To re-create the structure and weight of classic bags from the mid-20th Century, he stitches canvas to foundational materials.

“As a young boy, I learned the art of sewing and developed a deep appreciation for exquisite American craftsmanship under the guidance of my Quaker grandmother,” he explains. “These early experiences laid the groundwork for my creative journey. Over the years, I have dedicated countless hours to refining my distinctive process, both at the print table and the sewing machine.”