WOW, first one!

Debra Jones · 02-16-2002, 11:13 PM

Hello, I guess I am the first one in here.

My name is Debra Jones. I found this site from my old online forum, WetCanvas.com. I call myself a born again artist. Not that I got religion, but that I took about 20 years off and am finally picking up where I should have been, a bit late.

I did a stint of commercial - which translated to me as NO - art. It may sound funny, but it was a self-esteem issue. I never finished art school so I always felt like I was faking it. Finally I just gave up. Not an abnormal response to the pressures of the career.

So now I am FIFTY (as the girl on Saturday Night Live says) and experiencing a power surge. In 2000 I found the Scottsdale Artist's School open studio. They have portrait and life drawing 3 hour sessions. I have attended religiously (there I go again) two, three or four times a week since I found them. I have only attended three instructed classes but have set my own goals and basically relearned what they taught me in school. I received a good education at the Rocky Mountain School of Art (I hear it is a college now) but when I was learning it, I didn't understand.

Age is a wonderful thing.

Confidence in my ability to learn has allowed me the luxury of wisdom. I understand and speak in the language of art that I was tutored in those years ago.

Now that many here are retiring early, I am seriously embarking on my life's work. I have the gift of patience and a serenity I could never have known THEN.

"People are my species" as Maude said to Harold. I love them. I studied anthro and archaeology. I just revel in the fact that I am one of these amazing human beings! THAT is what I see in every set of eyeballs I set down in paint, charcoal or pastel.

THIS is the most fun I have had in my life. So, that said, here I am, a couple of years ago, a "here's lookin' at you kid."

Virginia Branch · 02-17-2002, 11:49 AM

Great bio Debra and self-portrait! I took a 20 year hiatus too and am loving every minute I can devote to my art. You seem so motivated which is inspiring me to get out there too. I am pulled in so many different directions that I don't feel I do anything 100%.

Where is Rocky Mountain School of Art?

Geri Comicz · 02-23-2002, 07:37 AM

Hi DJ,

Thought I would poke in and say hi. Always love your work. You are extremely talented. See most of it over at ......... as Gloria in pastel and portrait.

I, too, am on my second wind after a long lay off of about 20 years. It's difficult getting your feet wet again. I admire your "spunk".

Geri

P. S. Wanted to ask, what are the summers like in Scotsdale or Arizona? Just curious.

Debra Jones · 02-23-2002, 11:15 AM

Rocky Mountain School of Art mutated into the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. It is in Denver. We were arch enemies of the CIA, Colorado Institute of Art. I guess I was lucky to have an arch enemy. We have only the Al Collins School out here, and the Scottsdale School, which is really only a workshop environment.

Here in the summer it IS hot! 110 is not uncommon. That is when it gets hotter, above the teens. Good news is that it is not as full of people. We live in air conditioning, but if you don't like the indoors, it is a hard place to live in the summer.

Thanks for your asking kids!