IdeaJones

Category: IdeaJones

Items about IdeaJones, Joey Jones, or Mark Jones:

  • The Value of a Smile

    Getting started in the arts is hard. There’s the work involved, which, if you really feel a passion for it, takes time, energy, research, planning and a certain amount of faith. Will anyone get what you do? Will anyone like it?

    You sit by yourself for hours at a time.  An artist works in solitary confinement in the hopes that he will, some day, communicate with someone else.  He may never even see that other person, or hear from him. He may never know that the communication happened.

    It makes you realize how undervalued simple human things can be. The person who takes an extra minute on the phone to not just “process your call,” but help you. The person who reaches out to tell you your work touched him, or her. Meant something.

    In the end, we are social animals, even introverted artists who work like hermits in their cells. We want to make contact, be seen, be valued, be heard. Or even just smiled at, over the phone. The little things count, and they always will. The world becomes more technical, but we are still human.

  • Now Appearing

    There’s a neat fine arts center tucked away in a decommissioned school in Carmichael, CA. The Sacramento Fine Arts Center has lessons in various crafts that can be used as take-off points for artistic endeavor, and also has exhibits, shows and sales. Currently, there’s a juried show called Inner Visions, with works in several and mixed media done by local artists.

    Joey’s sculpture is included in this exhibit. Previously shown at Capital Public Radio’s multi-artist show, but in a slightly different form, Where It All Starts interprets empathy with a visualization of personal communication that includes mirror neurons, the mechanism behind empathy, and the breathing in of shed cells from other people, with the result that each of us is actually made up of  ideas and matter from others.

    Shown this time with a different title and different working of the connection between the two figures, Where It All Starts: The Beginning of Empathy is shown as part of Inner Visions through July 12th.

     

     

     

  • More Art!

    Coming soon to a Building Resources outlet near you (assuming you’re in San Francisco), these little molded paper figures will be mounted on a polymer backing with a loop for attachment to a chain or pin.

    (This one colored by friend Amy as part of a test to find the best quick-drying medium for color application.)

    imageOn July 19th, this will be one of the demonstration arts during the Family Day event at Building Resources. At this free event, you can meet the artists in the scrap art: creative reuse in the Bayview art exhibit, learn techniques, and even make a bit of art of your own to take home.

  • “Another Opening, Another Show…”

    Last night was the opening reception for “scrap art: creative reuse in the Bayview,” which runs until July 26th at two venues, including the Reclaimed Room inside Building REsources in San Francisco. Don’t let the exterior fool you, the exhibit space inside is nicely done. A bit strange to have artwork cheek by jowl with construction materials in what’s basically a home improvement center featuring used, reclaimed and recycled goods – but it works. The show’s stated theme of “creative reuse” is perfectly in keeping with the venue.

    Joey was a bit nervous, as she was one of forty artists, and neither of us knew anyone at the reception. Actually, since we don’t know anyone, I can’t be sure how many of the forty artists were at the reception. Two of Joey’s works are on display: “His Own Man,” (see interior detail below in the Sunday in S.F. post) and Simran, both of which were featured in a Sacramento show late last year.

    “Simran” by Joey Jones

    The reception was a great success, and we enjoyed meeting the other artists and hearing about their creative process.

    There are several more events scheduled, as indicated in the show link, both in the REsources venue and the Public Glass venue. Note that the family event at Building REsources on July 19th is free, but the July 26th event at Public Glass has a $25 admission fee.
    imageimage

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sunday in S.F.

    San Francisco (calling it Frisco immediately pegs you as a rude tourist) isn’t so far from our home stomping grounds that we can’t get down for a day trip from time to time.

    Today was the drop-off for art to be featured in a show opening this week in The City. (It’s still The City to me. I was born there.) The show features 40 local artists (Joey’s local because she was born in the East Bay), and opens Thursday.

    “scrap art: creative reuse in the Bayview,” runs June 12 – July 26. Two venues, including the Reclaimed Room inside Building REsources. Don’t let the exterior fool you:

    image

    There’s real art inside, with a reuse/recycle theme,

     

     

     

     

     

    including this piece

    from our very own Joey Jones.

     

     

     

     

     

    You’ll find lots of artists to talk to, at several receptions. Maybe we’ll see you at one of them!