Art / Artist of the Month
Artist of the month: Elaine Jones
Elaine Jones has always described herself as an abstract artist but over the years her paintings have developed more figuratively. Her current paintings are reminiscent of landscapes which can transport the viewer to remote, often inhabited places with wild and extreme climates.
Elaine has been painting professionally for the past 20 years in Bristol. While Elaine’s not travelling around the world, finding inspiration in the jungle terrain of Central America or the glaciers of the Arctic, she works at Jamaica Street Studios, just off Stokes Croft.
“I feel very grateful to have been a part of Jamaica Street Studios for such a long time,” she says. “All of the artists here are busy and productive. It is a hive of creativity that seems to feed everybody.”
is needed now More than ever
The work that Elaine is selling through Bristol24/7 is Mountain View. Part of her new series of paintings inspired by places close to her hometown, it was influenced by Salcombe’s North Sands beach.
“I get particularly inspired by the tremendous views from the cliffs when out walking or looking in towards Salcombe whilst out on our small boat,” Elaine says. “I love the clear blue skies and the ocean, the rugged coastline contrasting with soft rolling English hills and woodland.”
Elaine at work in her Jamaica Street studios
Elaine’s work is made up of a series of layers that evolve slowly over time. This is done by pouring paint over the top of figurative marks, rubbing bits away and leaving it to dry before beginning again.
Each piece goes through many stages of development and obliteration before reaching its final form. In her more recent work, drawing is starting to play a greater role in the finished pieces with the layering of drawn marks over the top of abstract shapes.
“I like it that you can look through the paintings and sometimes glimpse their history, the ghosts of previous marks and splodges that have become covered or removed,” Elaine says.
‘Mountain View’ by Elaine Jones, available to buy through Bristol 24/7.
As for future projects, things are looking busy for Elaine as she works towards the Affordable Art Fair Battersea and Brussels in March. Plus, she is collaborating with First Contemporary gallery on Jamaica Street to produce a book later this year. “It is going to be based on my drawings and paintings in and around Salcombe. I am really looking forward to getting going with that and producing some new paintings for it,” she says.
Elaine has chosen Bristol-based charity Aid Box Community to receive her profits from the art sold through Bristol24/7.
“A couple of years ago I became involved helping refugee children in northern France,” she says. “The artwork that we produced in France has been made into cards and T-shirts for the charity. They do amazing things helping to support refugee and asylum seekers here in Bristol.”
Profits from artwork sold through Bristol24/7 will be donated to Aid Box Community. Buy work from all of our featured artists at www.bristol247.com/shop.
Read more: A year of Artist of the Month 2018
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