Better Things: The Life & Choices of Jeffrey Catherine Jones
If you’re a regular follower of this blog, you may remember my Influence Map, posted a few months back…I’m going to revisit it for just a moment, with an added emphasis on one artist in particular; Jeffrey Catherine Jones.
Had I bothered to read and follow the Influence map instructions, (and made each tile on the map itself correspond in size to that particular individuals “influence” on me) The block representing Jeffrey Catherine Jones would have been larger. Much larger. Like, nearly as big as that Greg Manchess block in the top left-hand corner of the map (Which, coincidentally, probably is at the correct “influential size”).
Jeffrey Catherine Jones’ paintings really hit a cord with me. I’m a sucker for the way she remains representational in her work, even while pushing far into the gestural realm. The juicy highlights in her paintings, alongside the large, interlocking dark shapes, are simply gorgeous and wonderfully designed. And of course, there’s her dinosaurs; They have all the ye-olde-timey charm of Charles R. Knight, with a healthy side of Robert E. Howard pulp that reaches out and smacks paleontological accuracy in the face….And paleontological accuracy forgives it and buys them a beer later, because Jeffrey Catherine Jones’ dinosaurs are just that cool.
I recently discovered that this hero of mine and illustration heavyweight is the subject of an upcoming documentary that delves into the importance of art in one’s life, and explores how it defines the artist as an individual and can go so far as to save one’s self. I won’t go into the personal struggles of Jeffery Catherine Jones here, but I will tell you to go and watch the trailer for the film over on Kickstarter.com.
If you like what you see (and I’m sure you will) pledge as little as a dollar to help get this film off the ground. If you pledge 50, you get yourself the dvd and a movie poster when it’s released. This is a pledge only; Payment is not taken unless the entire pledge amount is reached. Throw a couple of bucks down to help get this promising exploration of self-identity and the importance of art up-and-running…Judging from the trailer alone, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did.