DONALD JONES
1935-2018
Yukon, OK
As far back as he could remember, Donald was fascinated by art. One of his earliest influences came from the comic strips his father read to him. Afterward, Donald would lie on the floor and draw the characters himself, already captivated by the power of images and storytelling.
His first art award came at the age of six, when he won first place in a poster competition open to students in grades one through six. The prize was a dollar bill, which he promptly spent on a bottle of ink and a fountain pen—tools that encouraged his growing passion for drawing. Remarkably, he still owned that pen when he passed away.
During junior high school, Donald’s parents further encouraged his interest by enrolling him in a mail-order art instruction course. After graduating from high school, he pursued formal training in art and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Information Design from the University of Oklahoma in 1958. While completing his studies, he worked summers as a roughneck on oil drilling rigs.
After graduation, Donald entered the field of illustration, where he built a successful career. Throughout the years he continued to study and refine his craft, attending workshops including one with noted painter Sergei Bongart.
During his illustration career he became familiar with acrylic paints and developed a strong appreciation for their versatility. He continued to use acrylics throughout his painting career. In the early 1980’s, he began entering national juried exhibitions, where his work was included in many major competitive shows across the United States. These included exhibitions at The Butler Institute of American Art; Allied Artists of America; Audubon Artists, Inc.; the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic; the Society of Illustrators Annual; Watercolor U.S.A.; and the Rocky Mountain National.
Donald was drawn to subjects that were accessible and familiar, often attracted by striking light effects and strong design possibilities. He frequently worked in series, beginning with pencil or marker sketches and color notes that guided the final studio painting. During the process he would simplify or adjust elements to strengthen the composition and overall design.
He was a member of the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic; Audubon Artists, Inc. (oil category); Rocky Mountain National Water Media; and the Watercolor USA Honor Society. His work was featured in the Society of Illustrators Annual Illustrators 29 and in The Best of Acrylic Painting published by Rockport Publishers in 1996. He was also listed in Who’s Who in American Art.
JUANITA JONES
1936-present
Yukon, OK
Even as a child, Juanita was drawn to color—wildflowers, fresh fruit, a purple hill in the evening light, the changing seasons, even her mother’s lipstick. That early fascination continues to shape her work today. Her paintings are characterized by rich darks, russets, and golds, complemented by warm neutrals, with touches of blues, greens, and purples woven throughout.
She finds inspiration in quiet moments of light and atmosphere: the sun streaming through a window in the early morning, casting long shadows and catching the iridescence of glass; the soft blush of color in skin; the lush textures of fabric; and the lacy rhythms of overlapping foliage. These moments feel like poetry to her, each element connecting visually and emotionally, creating a sense of harmony and music within the composition.
Juanita paints a variety of subjects but focuses primarily on still life and people. These subjects allow her the flexibility to carefully control lighting, mood, and design; elements that are central to her artistic process.
Although Juanita did not begin painting until after the age of forty, she had long felt a desire to pursue art. In the 1970s, she took her first lessons with Mary Getches, a student of Dick Getz, who encouraged her to continue painting, especially portraits and figurative work. Over the years, Juanita has further developed her skills through numerous workshops, including those with Sergei Bongart and David Leffel.
Her work has been featured in national and regional juried exhibitions, including the American Artists Professional League, Inc., the Salmagundi Club in New York, NY; Pen and Brush, Inc. in Greenwich Village, Manhattan; the MOAK 4-State Regional in Springfield, MO; The July National Exhibition at the Associated Artists of Southport’s Franklin Square Gallery in Southport, NC; and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society in Osage Beach, MO.
Juanita has received numerous awards in local and state art shows and has completed more than fifty commissioned portraits.
