Next up: W. Briar Jones Briar Jones is well~known within the local arts' scene. Whether it's in his capacity as an artist, an arts' supporter, a chair within various committees and helping at many arts' oriented functions; Jones is a strong quiet presence. In the past several years, I've observed him observing his surroundings and I've wondered how his own expression of the arts is executed. So I am really looking forward to viewing his work, both as finished art and the process he uses to create. Come visit Briar Jones's studio and watch this architect work on his latest "How to Open a French Restaurant" {not pictured in this entry, as it appears in SAAC's FB page; or ya know, come see it firsthand} Starkville Area Art Council's FaceBook page: W. Briar Jones was born in 1971 in Memphis, Tennessee. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Mississippi State University in 1994. In addition to his practice as partner with the architecture firm of Thomas Shelton Jones & Associates, he maintains a studio in Starkville, MS. His watercolors have been selected for inclusion in numerous juried shows including recent national juried exhibits such as "2010 Watercolor USA" at the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, MO where his painting "Roman Dawn" was awarded a purchase prize. During the Artist's Studio Tour, Briar will be showing his studio and his watercolor paintings of local scenes as well as those from his world travels. He intends to be working on a piece entitled "How to Open a French Restaurant." Next up: Betty Jane Chatham SPECIAL NOTE: I must apologize for the poor quality of photos. A couple years ago, several of the Starkville Writers were asked to write pieces to accompany the artwork that was going to be featured in the "Art in Public Places: Country Roads" exhibit that was held at Greater Starkville Development Partnership, sponsored by Starkville Area Arts Council. We writers needed to be able to see the pieces in order to write an appropriate piece. Some had portfolios assembled, so we received huge files. Others had a few shots here and there, and then there was Betty Jane. Betty Jane's photos of her paintings were not the best. But that was more than ok. Cuz she's not a photographer. But she is a stunning painter. So please know that these photos do NOT do justice to her work. Betty Jane Chatham has been a fairly constant presence in the art community here in Starkville over the years. Looking through some the past editions of the paper, I've seen her in several environments; at the library, in church, sure. But you're more likely to see her in "Art in the Garden" or "Art in Public Places: Country Roads"., Or in her truly indigenous environment: in her backyard.
Starkville Area Arts Council's FaceBook page has this to say: Betty Jane Chatham has always been drawn to the beauty of the outdoors. The natural outdoor light, where she does much of her painting, makes her depictions come to life. When she can't paint outside, she paints from photos or sets up still life in her studio. She has studied portrait painting, but landscapes are her main interest. Betty Jane will be in the studio out back of her home during the tour. Her painting, incorporating several media including oil, watercolor and acrylic, create serene, calm scenes that are a pleasure to view. When I asked Betty Jane to tell me more, she just couldn't stress enough the joy to be found in making nature the focus of painting. Whether it's setting up her watercolors or acrylics, on her own property, gazing up at the clouds, visiting Tuscany, or painting the rose in her mother's vase; Betty Jane loves capturing that beauty on canvas, sharing her love of nature with all viewers. If you want a breathe of fresh air, come on Saturday May 10th's tour and be sure to visit with Betty Jane for a bit! |
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