Jan Jones . Writer . Artist . Decorator. Publisher . Graphic Designer
Creative Art by Jan Jones
Meet jan, the Artist
My art career began as a child ... given crayons, pencils, scissors, paper, tape and glue and just left alone, I was in my happy place!
It also helped to have a very creative mother, Grace, who could do or create just about anything and made sure I had all the tools and materials I needed. She has two books in the 60s that I remember, "Junk to Treasure" and "How to Make Something From Nothing" ... long before the subject was popular. She rummaged through trash and sported a love for rust that was passed on to me. She was really special. Unfortunately, she passed away at only 54. I often think about all we could create together today.
In the 1970s, my craft was stained glass and that is when I soldered my first pendant which I still have today. I was creating soldered necklaces and bracelets featuring treasured family photos when the jewelry craze hit in the 1990s.
Although there is hardly a medium I have not worked in, what I love the most is assemblages/collages, combined with rusty pieces and anything else that pleases my eye. I don't limit my colors to pencils or crayons today ... I include pastels, acrylic, watercolor, inks, and more.
jan, the woman
I've done a lot of things in my lifetime, mainly work. I was a workaholic and good at it. That I knew how to do. But I didn't know how to love.
I had been divorced since 1980, when in 2016, into my life walked my soul mate, Jeff, along with his two dogs (I am a cat person) and everything in my life changed. For the first I time found out what it was like to truly be in love and be loved. From that moment on, I no longer wanted to work all the time. Jeff is the kindest man I have ever known and everyone just loves him. Because of this man, everything seems brighter and we want to slow down and enjoy every precious moment we have left in special ways. And for those of you out there that have not found your one true soul mate yet, there is still time. I was 69. Just believe.
After we closed the shops, I went back to designing websites which I totally love ... it's like creating a new work of art with each new site. I always said my last career would be writing. It's time to finish or publish all those books I have written, and I think Designs for Graceful Living may be the one thing I have always dreamed of ... my own magazine. Add in a garden to tend, a little art to create, and a wonderful man to love ... life is good.
Enjoy,
jan
Living the Artful Life - Assembladge/Collage
12" x 12" on wood, dimensional
A collection of all things in my art agenda today which includes architecture and design. (I designed and built my own home ... click here to see!)
Assembladge/Collage . 12" x 12" on wood, dimensional, presented with easel
but could be hung.
The Wise Old Owl
Gift for our friend who loves to decorate for every holiday. At Christmas she had a beautiful vignette in her office/guest room with 2 trees with blue lights and 2 feathered snowy owls. I thought she would really miss that the rest of the year, so I created this piece sit in it's place. You'll see the cat ... Cricket, her siamese has claimed that room as her own so I added her. She loves it!
The Santos Doll
Assembladge/Collage
8" x 18" on wood, dimensional
My latest.
Available
Go to Shop
Online!
Assembladge/Collage
4.5" x 48" each on wood
I had a corner that needed to be a little brighter. Just a collection of things I love. Click on the image to enlarge.
Assembladge/Collage . 12" x 24" on wood, dimensional
I so loved doing these for Jeff's sons. Jeff is Thomas Jefferson Rawls V, his son, TJ, is VI, and his grandson Thomas, is the VII. The two assemblages above are for TJ and Robert, his second son. Obviously, TJ's is a play on the number VI. Robert, did not have a designation so I made him #I. His initials are prominent, Robert Chandler Rawls. Both of these include things that are personal to them ... instruments they played, sports, wedding photos, TJ is a chef, Robert studies astrometry and is quite knowledgable on Egypt. Click on the photo to enlarge.
I really enjoy creating these and can make
them for anyone! Great gift for a guy!
Assembladge/Collage . 18" x 18" on wood, felt backed to hold or could be hung.
So I thought Thomas might need some help figuring out the VII. So ...
Line 1: His initials followed by ways
to say VII, 7, seven
Line 2: 1-6 . Line 3 & 4: a bunch of 7
which will probably be his lucky number!
Line 5: 8-13 . Line 6: His birthdate.
He immediately took it and started
pointing to the numbers!
Interesting note: Jeff wants to be called 5 as grandpa, and he calls Thomas 7. lol
This was so much fun to create!
Assembladge/Collage . 12" x 24" on wood, dimensional.
Gift for Ann Osborne
Ann's lucky number is 3 so this is a collage of her initials, a lot of 3s, and things that are particular to Ann. She loved it!
A few older pieces., all sold. Sorry for the photography!
