Who Matt-ers

Who Matt-ers

Over the course of three years now, I’ve had the opportunity to rub shoulders on a regular basis with what I believe is one of Seattle’s hottest single men. Not just because he’s lean, muscular, and has the confidence of a super model, nor is it the fact that he’s an amazing artist and successful entrepreneur. What makes Matt Jones one of Seattle’s bright and shining stars among the Singledom of Seattle, is the fact that he makes everyone instantly aware that they matter. Let’s face it. Isn’t that what we’re really after in life? We want to know that we matter, and in a heartbeat, with a flash of pearly whites, Jones proves it.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, by American parents, and raised in the Midwest, Matt’s logbook of travel as an expedition leader extends to over 70 countries to some of the world’s most remote regions. When asked how the Northwest became his home, Jones says, “Because Seattle has always been a fantastic city! There’s wonder in every corner of the earth,” he continues, “but the magic really begins when you decide that being where you are, is really where it’s at!”

In a matter of minutes, you soon realize that Jones goes far beyond simply “being” where “it’s at”. In addition to rescuing men from sharks, driving Zodiacs through the center of icebergs the size of Kirkland, having a cat with his own website (spikejones.org), as well as his background as a comedian, photographer, artist, motivational speaker, adventurer, and executive, Jones is most recently drawing attention with his dauntless and colossal, abstract paintings at Gasworks Gallery off North Lake Union. To see his work is to see his spirit - electrifying color and boundless movement.

If his art doesn’t jolt you off your feet, consider his other passion. A Passion For Mashin’, that is. As the founder of MashedPotatoes.org, Jones has a driven desire to help feed the world, and has donated over 400,000 pounds of potatoes to benefit Northwest Harvest. MashedPotatoes.org is a grassroots organization that puts the f-u-n in fundraising on the first Friday of every month, by turning what would otherwise be just another gallery event into a night of wine, dancing, and h’oer doevres among some of Seattle’s hippest movers and shakers. Where does it happen? At Gasworks Gallery, of course. (Dot Com, of course!) A non-perishable food donation gets you in the door. “Just bring your passion for mashin’”, says Jones, “and we’ll provide the smiles.”

Featured on King 5, NWCN, and Kong 6, to name a few, Jones and MashedPotatoes.org are noted for their tremendous contributions to Seattle’s food shelters. “I had spent years donating to the food shelters prior to forming MashedPotatoes.org, and had always wondered how I could do more. With the help of friends and the amazing people in this city, we were able to deliver 50,000 pounds of potatoes to King 5’s Home Team Harvest fundraiser in one day alone. When asked how it felt to pull into the King 5 donation lot with 50,000 pounds of potatoes, Jones replied “Pretty damn good!” One thing led to another, and before he knew it, he’d become the pied piper of potatoes. As Jones puts it, “Mashed potatoes are the king of comfort food. The top of the food chain of cool.”

Each moment of my interview brought another burst of energy, revealing another layer to this never-ending man. If what he does today doesn’t astound you, his past will knock you off your feet. It definitely knocked me off mine, after asking who inspired him most in his life. “My father, Don Jones, was the inventor of the rubber magnet (The magnets we all have on our refrigerators!). He also designed the fastest racing tire in the world for fifteen years, (used by Big Daddy Don Garlits) during the heyday of drag racing Jones explains. “So here’s this wildly successful inventor, my dad, and the thing that stuck with me most was his incredible kindness to everyone he met. More than what he did, how he did it was a huge impression on me. Aside from my dad,” Matt continues, “there are two men I have always thought were cool. The movie character, Indiana Jones was this spirited, adventurous, mischievous intellectual who I could totally relate to, and the real man, Jimmy Carter for his compassionate humanitarianism, and a true gentleman who, like my father, placed his family and friends at the top of the list.”

As our interview ended, I had to ask how his smile had rarely left his face. Jones replied, “ Well hey! I guess I’m just really bleepin’ happy! I have this great life where I get to be apart of feeding people and sharing my art. It doesn’t get any better!” Get ready Seattle. Matt Jones not only shapes our city, this carbonated, GQ Boy Scout knows who matt-ers in life. We do!


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Marlowe T. Brown
Freelance Writer
Seattle, Washington
206-930-6334



Article: Matt Jones Gasworks Gallery