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Abby's Page
Profile Information
- Relationship status
- married
- College / University
- Cornell College Mt. Vernon, Iowa 52314
- Program / Degree
- B.A. Literature
- Member type
- Artist
- If you're an artist, what kind of art do you make?
- Painting
- I am...
- a largely self taught artist. I have been painting since I was seven years old. I started with acrylics and moved on to drawing in pencil, conte crayon, and charcoal. I have done sculpture in limestone, metal, and clay. I currently work in oil and mixed media. I am an abstract expressionist painter.
- About my artwork
- As an abstract expressionist painter, I am fascinated with the basic scientific principle that energy is neither created nor destroyed. Energy changes form from potential energy to kinetic energy and back. I explore the threshold of change; when potential energy becomes kinetic energy. That energy exists in the creative process of art making as well as life. That tension that makes us hold our breaths in anticipation and the release into eventual movement is the potential and kinetic energy we encounter in everyday life.
My works strive to capture these forms of energy that exist in all of us. I use multi-media including mirror, wood, metal, stained glass, and paper on top of silky oils to achieve a sense of texture and contrast that creates tension. I also use shapes, lines, and color vigorously applied to achieve a sense of movement and fluidity. If the potential energy of my idea can move someone to feel an emotion then that is the kinetic energy of life derived from art. If a work can convey that sense of energy to the observer then the piece has done its job.
- Artists I like
- Dali, Pollock, Cezanne, the list is endless.
- Interests
- Nature, energy, reading, meditating, painting, truth, wisdom, music, poetry, etc.
- What exhibitions are good at the moment?
- Abstract expressionist painter Abby Jones will showcase her latest works at a gallery opening at the Paul Engle Center For Neighborhood Arts, 1600 4th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, on Saturday, April 4th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public. The Paul Engle Center is handicap-accessible. For more information, call (319) 366-1836.
The artist will be on hand to discuss her work and creative process.
Jones, who studied under artist Hugh Lifson, professor emeritus at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, also cites the paintings of fellow abstract expressionists Jackson Pollock and Steve Joy as influences on her style. "Their works inspire me because they are raw and energetic," Jones said.
Abstract expressionism can be defined as a style expressing the artist's ideas or sensations in a manner that, at first glance, appears to be a random, spontaneous application of paint.
"The idea that abstract expressionists merely splatter paint on a canvas and call it art is really a stereotype," said Ron Adkins, Paul Engle Center board president. "I look at a Pollock or a Mark Rothko and see an intent, a motivating energy -- at least on a subconscious level. That same energy is present in the works of Abby Jones."
"I am fascinated with the basic scientific principle that energy is neither created nor destroyed," Jones said. "Energy changes form, from potential energy to kinetic energy and back. I explore the threshold of change -- when potential energy becomes kinetic energy. That energy exists in the creative process of art making as well as life."
Examples of Jones' paintings can be seen online at www.myspace.com/abbyjonesart, and at http://abbyjonesart.mosaicglobe.com
The Paul Engle Center for Neighborhood Arts is housed in the former Hladky's Grocery, and is named after Cedar Rapids native Paul Engle, an early director of the University of Iowa Writers Workshop and founder of International Writing Program at the U of I. His work with that program earned him a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
In his memoir, A Lucky American Childhood, Engle attributes his time working as a soda jerk at Hladky's Grocery as the start of his writing career. The Paul Engle Center seeks to honor the writer's ideals of creative expression and unconditional inclusion by operating as a meeting place, community resource, art gallery, and performance space.
- Centre of the artworld:
- nowhere and everywhere
Current Project: Abstract Primitive Expressionism
As the elemental dimension of symbolic culture progresses, so does, by equal steps, alienation from the natural. Symbols are essential for the development and maintenance of social order. From symbols come language... from language comes number...from number comes time and order and systematic control. That is the reason why I stay away from symbols. I paint from a transcendental view that is devoid of time and cultural significance and paint as a part of nature as opposed to separate from it. In my work, everyone, regardless of race/sex/religion can find a respite from our everyday modern/industrialized/technologically advanced society.
There is a desire in modern culture to return to a more primitive and simple way of life. I seek to examine this desire in all its facets through my artworks. By avoiding symbol I am able to focus on the basic elements that make up the structure and form of nature such as line, shape, color, and texture. I dissect the elements of structure and seek the energy that is within all things. In this way, by viewing a piece of art, one can feel the beauty of nature that resides in its simplicity.
For more information on primitivism visit: http://abbyjonesart.mosaicglobe.com and click on the Primitivism FAQ page.
There is a desire in modern culture to return to a more primitive and simple way of life. I seek to examine this desire in all its facets through my artworks. By avoiding symbol I am able to focus on the basic elements that make up the structure and form of nature such as line, shape, color, and texture. I dissect the elements of structure and seek the energy that is within all things. In this way, by viewing a piece of art, one can feel the beauty of nature that resides in its simplicity.
For more information on primitivism visit: http://abbyjonesart.mosaicglobe.com and click on the Primitivism FAQ page.
Abby's Photos
Comment Wall (22 comments)
- At 2:39pm on October 1, 2010,
N.S.VALLUVAN said…
- TRANSCENDENTOGRAPH
- At 3:03pm on October 9, 2009,
Luke Gilliam said… - Love your piece A Passenger. Fantastic Work!!
- At 6:34am on May 21, 2009,
Helen Kelly said… - Hi Abby, Another network... at least this one is about art... find your art inspiring... take care... Helen
- At 6:42am on December 26, 2008,
Christa Mans said… - OHHH your work is like Candy - I love it!
- At 1:19pm on October 18, 2008,
ART & ARTISTS LA said… - BLUEBIRD ART HOUSE AND ART&ARTISTS LA are pleased to announce the 1st INTERNATIONAL JURIED COMPETITION 2009.
Open to all artists in all fine arts media we seek to recognize outstanding quality and diversity in the arts.
The 2009 IJC is open to all artists worldwide, age 18 and older. All works must be original. Entries in the following medias will be accepted: Painting, Drawing, Mixed media, Printmaking, Watercolor, Ceramics, Sculpture, and Photography.
Entry Deadline February 15th 2009.
AWARD
A solo show next winter 2009 at Bluebird Art House and $1500 to the winner. 1 work in the show for each one of the 3 runner up.
To receive the Submission Form and bases
E-MAIL: BBIRDINTCOMP@YAHOO.COM
- At 12:42pm on October 18, 2008,
Luke Gilliam said…
- The second piece on your slide show,
WOW!!!!!
- At 4:07am on September 8, 2008,
K K Majumdar said… - I am indeed very impressed by your comments regarding "emptyness" on Luke Gilliam's page.
I also noted that you have inclination towards Indian philisophy and value system.
Let's make friendship.
Kishore
New Delhi, India.
- At 1:21pm on June 28, 2008,
jan lewin-cadogan said… - vibrant and energetiv, good jan
- At 11:37pm on June 24, 2008,
Cloo said… - thanks for your comment; appreciate it!
I like your work; your colours and compositions. Beautiful art !
- At 11:25pm on June 23, 2008,
Bruce Morse said…
- Thanks for your comment Abby. I like what you say about painting and enjoyed seeing yours. Best to you, Bruce
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