AURORA — Chris Jones has known he wanted to be a photographer since he was 9 years old.

He was inspired by a former Washington Daily News staff member.

“Ric Carter was the reason I picked up a camera in the first place,” Jones recalled. “I saw what he could do and I told my mama I wanted a camera for Christmas.”

It took Jones a while to realize his dream. Born in New Bern and raised in several different Beaufort County communities, he worked in the construction field until health problems prompted a change.

That’s when Jones seriously began pursuing his art, capturing the beauty of the byways and back roads of eastern and coastal North Carolina.

His favorite subjects are landscapes and wildlife.

“I like exploring dirt roads and swamps, any place that’s away from where everybody else goes all the time,” Jones said.

His least favorite subjects are people.

“People put their own personality into a picture, and depending on their personality they can make a picture not as pretty,” he said.

A few months ago, Jones began actively pursing the goal of opening a gallery for up and coming artists like himself.

He wants to do it as a tribute to his late brother, Rob, who died four years ago.

“Rob was a painter, he carved … he could paint anything but he couldn’t get into any galleries,” Jones said. “He actually ended up giving up on it.”

Saddened by his brother’s thwarted efforts, Jones is determined to establish a gallery for struggling artists. He thought he had found the perfect location in Aurora, but problems with the building made the project unfeasible.

He’s not giving up, however. He is currently exploring gallery options at a couple of locations in southern Beaufort County. In the meantime, he has set up an online gallery.

“I want to build a gallery that has space for anybody,” Jones said. “I want to give each artist space for one piece for free for the first month. I want to help give them a start.”

For more information, visit Jones’ Facebook page, R.M.J. Memorial Gallery and Artworks. Jones can also be contacted at 252-402-2546.