The Art of Colby Jones
Many years ago I caught my wife off guard by taking a random photo while she was minding her own business talking on the phone. I loved her smile and decided to do a drawing. I post this now because January 27 would have been our 49th anniversary.
Click on image to enlarge.
Pencil on paper, 9″ x 11″
A home in the Garden Oaks area of Houston, Texas.
Click on image to enlarge.
Pen and ink on bristol board, 11″ x 14″
My first idea for doing a Hanukkah image was to try something a little different; something I hadn’t done in many years: paint with bleach onto construction paper. It sounded intriguing to create the flames as the bleach bled into the soft paper. Then I wondered what it would look like on black mat board. After I was all set up to paint I discovered I had no bleach!
But I found a very old bleach pen. The liquid came out rather bubbly and just sat there. Not what I had hoped for. While it was drying (it took a long time) I painted the Menorah flames using acrylic on another piece of mat board (Happy Hanukkah!).
Even though I think real bleach on actual construction paper would have been more fun I think this came out nicely unusual.
Bleach pen on black mat board, 8 ½” X 11 ½”
I offer a sincere Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends.
Acrylic on matboard, 9″ X 11″
I rarely repeat any art that I do. This is an exception. Last year about this time I did an Advent illustration for my church. Just to be different I did it in a mosaic/stained glass technique. I immediately decided I would do a different, more realistic version. I used it for my 2016 Christmas Card.
Click this link to see the earlier version. Las Posadas
Pen and Ink, Color Pencil on paper, 10″ x 10″
I actually thought I had posted this last Spring after the Lovers Lane Jazz Band performed at Central Lutheran Church but I couldn’t find it. Since they backed up our little choir for our Advent concert at the Dallas Museum of Biblical Arts it seemed appropriate to post it now. The concert was also a good opportunity for me to “unveil” a painting that will be on display at Central Lutheran Church. I’ll post an image of it later.
I was asked to come up with “angels playing jazz.” I did several sketches of musicians on a variety of instruments until I decided, OK, enough already. I’m, sorry if I left out your favorite instrument. I scanned the sketches into the computer and started working on the composition. With that done I did the “inking.” But something was wrong. I stared at the drawing for awhile until I realized a couple of musicians were missing. I knew I had drawn them. I couldn’t leave it as-is and searched for the missing musicians. Finally found the sketches between my desk and the wall! Back to the scanner. I had to completely redo the composition.
Here are a couple of Christmas drawings from the past, each celebrating the joy of becoming a new parent.
Joseph and Baby Jesus: December, 2014
Mary and Baby Jesus: December, 2012
