Heather Smith Jones is a studio artist and arts-based preschool instructor who received her MFA from The University of Kansas in 2001 and her BFA from East Carolina University in 1996. Smith Jones' is represented by a number of galleries nationwide and also maintains her own Internet marketing. Her work is in the public collections of the Sprint Corporation and Emprise Financial Corporation and many private collections. She has completed residencies at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Hall Farm Center for Arts and Education. In addition to her own studio work, Smith Jones collaborates with other artists in photography and art projects of multi-disciplines. She resides in Lawrence, Kansas with her husband and their three cats and enjoys quiet days in her sunlit studio drawing, painting and printing.
About the print:
"A new rescue" is a five-color letterpress print incorporating antique type with new metal blocks made from my drawings. I like to layer representational imagery with pattern and arrange the parts in an abstract or narrative way. In this print I have included imagery of a butterfly, seashell, rose of sharon blossom and a wooden boat, each growing from a vine that originates from a tree stump. The boat to me symbolizes the idea of a rescue and the stump or tree represents a source of life.
The original drawing, in process.
I used a vintage letterpress block I have in combination with three separate blocks I had made from my original drawings. I passed this print through my 1930’s era, non-electric Vandercook proof press five times, inked and cranked all by hand.
This is a five-color letterpress print on Rives Heavyweight 175gsm paper.
PURCHASE $45!
The printing process.
Three letterpress layers.
What has inspired you recently?
I am inspired by the changes I find in nature and my friends provide a constant stream of inspiration and support.
Why did you choose to pair Smile Train with your print?
Looking through the list of charities was amazing. Smile Train stood out to me and while I was familiar with them, I appreciated learning more. They offer free cleft and palate surgery to children in developing countries giving them and their families new hope. Before the life changing surgery, many are unable to eat properly or communicate and are cast out by their communities. Seeing the smiling faces of children that Smile Train has helped is uplifting and brings me to tears.
Details of the print.
How have you seen art transform the world around you?
I teach at an arts-based preschool and I see on a daily basis how art gives children a voice. I see how the process of making transforms them, how they grow and communicate their stories through what they paint, draw, print and build. Sometimes what they have to say astounds me and art gives them a platform for being heard.
If you could pick one artist to mentor you (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
I would like to catch a glimpse of how Julie Green works, get inside her thought process and visit in her studio. I know I would learn so much conceptually and technically.
Who are some artists you think that other people should know about?
I think we should get to know the artists around us, the ones in our own communities and see what they are doing. I offer that thought to myself as much as anyone. I could certainly benefit from "stepping out" a bit.
5 comments:
Beautiful! I love what you have to say about how art gives children a voice. Very wise.
Beautiful print of Heathers! I love her work and it's so great to read about her process and see the studio shots too.
thank you for the interview -I like hearing heather talk about her work and the advice about getting to know the artists in our own communities is great.
Glad you all enjoyed the interview - it's always great to learn more about our artists!
Very very beautiful. Fun to see the process.
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