Bio
Erin Jones is a metaphorical realist, working imaginitively with the traditional subjects of still life, landscape, and portraiture. Though she enjoys working in several media, her most recognized paintings are in oil. Her paintings and portraits are part of private collections in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Washington D.C., and she is a sought-after visiting artist in the Nashville area. Erin works and teaches out of her studio in Franklin, Tennessee.
Background & Influences
Born to a creative family, Erin cut her teeth on colored pencils and has explored the world through drawing ever since. The daughter of an illustrator, her earliest exposure to art was through bedtime stories illustrated by her father's heores: James Gurney, Chris Van Allsburg, N.C. Wyeth, David Wiesner, and William Joyce. Erin loved how these artists could transport her to fantastic worlds through careful detail. In middle and high school she was sought by her teachers to design illustrations and logos for school products and event shirts. Although she always enjoyed the magic of realistic drawing, Erin credits her traditional direction and early development as a painter to artist Connie Nelson, who gave her classical training and introduced her to working at an easel. Erin went on to earn a bachelors degree in art with an emphasis in painting from Murray State University, Kentucky, while simultaneously seeking instruction from world-class artists Michael Shane Neal, Jason Saunders, Roger Dale Brown, and Dawn Whitelaw. Whitelaw has since become her dear friend and mentor. Erin holds a deep respect for traditional masters and their techniques, from which standpoint she enjoys engaging contemporary art and culture. When not painting, Erin enjoys swing dancing and playing the ukulele.
Meet the fam: Dad Doug Jones - a humorous illustrator. And brother Kyle Jones (who helped with this site)- a multi-talented illustrator, designer, and web programmer.
Exhibits
Solo Shows
Visiting Artist Exhibition, The Ensworth School, Nashville, Tennessee 2007
Featured Artist, Southgate Studio, Franklin, Tennessee 2006
Outworking, Curris Center Gallery, Murray, Kentucky 2006
Group Shows
Artclectic 2007, University School of Nashville
Central Art South Exhibit, Tennessee Art League, Nashville, Tennessee 2007
Chestnut Group Shows:
Reflections, Radnor Lake, Nashville, Tennessee 2007
All things Belle Meade, Belle Meade Mansion, 2007
Nashville Through different Eyes, Tennessee Art League, Nashville, TN
Express Festival of the Arts, Fellowship Bible Church, Brentwood, Tennessee 2006, 07, 08
On Site Italy, Traveling collection, 2003
Honors and Awards
Visiting Artist, The Ensworth School, Nashville, Tennessee 2007
Fourth Place, Central Art South Exhibition, Nashville, Tennessee 2007
Best in Show, OMAS Student Show 2005
Tuition Scholarship to National Conference, Portrait Society of America 2005
Dorothy Rowlett Art Education Scholarship 2006
Erica Hilary Hope Small Memorial Art Scholarship 2005
Outstanding Sophomore Art Student 2003
Education
B.F.A. Studio Art, Education K-12; Painting Emphasis, Honors
Murray State University, Kentucky
Suma Cum Laude, Cumulative GPA 4.0
Has studied with:
Dawn Whitelaw, Jason A. Saunders, Roger Dale Brown, Michael Shane Neal,
Affiliations
The Chestnut Group, plein air painters for the land