07142010chemosystematics.jpgJudy Jones, a printmaker and entrepreneur, from Raleigh, North Carolina, is an artist who has remained true to her art form; at the same time she has developed a successful business that supports herself as an artist and other artists.

The Visual Arts Alliance is pleased to have the opportunity to introduce the original prints of Jones to the Fayetteville area in Gallery 208 during the exhibit Cause and Effect: The Prints of Judy Jones, July 22 – September 16, 2010.

Visitors to Cause and Effect will be pleasantly surprised by mixed media works which are unlike anything being produced in the region. A subtle color palette is used to create pictorial tension between object and abstraction, patterns and drawing, mixing the organic with the man made.

Her approach is to work in distinct themes and is presenting works from two themes she has undertaken in the last several years — Random Events (Cruciferae Series) and the Parrot Plant Series. Both exude the artist’s sensitivity to material and intent — materials can include chine collé, graphite or white charcoal in combination with traditional woodcut and contemporary printmaking techniques.

Jones’s artistic complexity is veiled in the minimalist art style. Viewer’s won’t see-hear the loud clanging of a fire alarm, instead they witness a smoldering fire. The design in the Cruciferae Series, at first, seems straightforward, a decorative intent. It is not until the viewer takes some time to unravel the implied intricate complexity of the design that they understand Jones is telling a story.

For Jones, being an artist is a lifestyle. She also has an extensive education in the arts. She earned a B.A. in Studio Art at UNC Pembroke in 1989 and in 1992, an M.A.Ed. degree at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. Her education includes an Art Therapy degree from Buffalo State University of New York.

Her work experience is varied and includes, but has not been limited to, being an instructor at The Print Studio in Naples, Florida. She has been the coordinator for the Youth Program of ArtsCool Summer Arts Program for Kids in Naples, Florida, and an adjunct Professor at the Edison Community College in Naples.

After leaving Florida, Jones relocated back to North Carolina. Her teaching efforts resumed in her small printmaking studio at Artspace in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since then Jones has been dedicated to being an art advocate for the printmaking medium and was one of the key organizers of PoNC (The Printmakers of North Carolina) in 2006. As stated on their website: “PoNC is a collective of artists determined to create traditional and non-traditional, hand-pulled prints, and to promote the education and the exploration of the print medium.”

PoNC is now housed at 311 West Martin Galleries and Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina. 311 West Martin Galleries is owned by Jones and her husband; the business is located in the Warehouse District of downtown historic Raleigh, N.C. There are currently 14 tenant artists working and showing in the studios and galleries of 311. Their exhibition space features the work of tenant artists and alternately, that of emerging artists as well as some of Raleigh’s favorite established artists.

It’s still a difficult economic time for artists and galleries, but as you can see, Judy Jones has made it work. In the 311 space is where you will find Jones’s printmaking studio; she shares the space during workshops. She remains a committed artist and entrepreneur, a prolific producing artist who continues to promote the arts in the greater Raleigh area.

For artists and art patrons interested in seeing Cause and Effect or hearing Jones talk about her work, you will want to be at the artist’s reception on Thursday, July 22, 2010, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., at Gallery 208. Gallery 208 is located in the offices of Up & Coming Weekly at 208 Rowan St. As always, the public is welcome to attend!

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