Ric Jones realized he’s not alone.

Hello Ariana,

My name is Ric Jones. I watched a news special a few years ago that you appeared in regarding rare conditions. I recorded it because I have the same condition that you have. Until I watched that show I thought it was just me. I am originally from a small town and the Doctors just thought it was hives. Anyway, I was recently clearing out my hard drive and came across the recording of the show. So I decided to look up your artwork online and it is really amazing. So in short I would just like to say that I am glad to see someone else with the condition using it as a positive. Well I don’t know if you have met anyone else with our particular condition but I have not. That being said, I am an African American male and if you ever want to add a different aspect to your portfolio please contact me. I also enclosed a couple of photos.

-Ric

Back in 2008 I was featured on ABC News 20/20 for a story about dermatographia (this is the news special Ric is speaking of). I was living in Seattle at the time, and they flew me to New York (where I now live) to do an interview. They also sent an amazing couple out to film me working in the studio, darkroom, and at my old job at Davidson Galleries in Seattle.

Here’s the video segment that aired:

I loved the whole experience of working with ABC News. Everyone was really nice and awesome to work with. The segment turned out well too. However, Juju Chang says I make $4500 from one photograph, and I’m not sure where that number came from. My work doesn’t sell for that much (yet ;’)! Other than that, all the facts are correct.

Thanks for reaching out to me Ric, and sharing your skin condition. Now you know that dermatographia affects 5% of the population (if not more, since so many people don’t even realize they have it), we are definitely not alone.

Photos courtesy of Ric Jones