The outskirts of Pittsburgh have been home to artist Betsy Jones her entire twenty-six creative years. Her family jokes that Betsy was ‘born with a marker in her hand’, as she was drawing before she could even speak!
Initially, Betsy received some instruction class="MsoNormal">
“Lost Traditions” Series:
The “Lost Traditions” series was created to not class="MsoNormal">As few as forty years ago, there were hundreds, if not thousands, of Maiko (young geisha in training) and Geiko (fully trained adult Geisha). Now, there are just a few dozen in all of Japan. As the numbers of Geisha dwindle, they take their traditions, culture, beauty, and most importantly their art with them. Eventually, all in the “flower world” will be lost and the “real” world will unknowingly become a much darker place. For example, tea ceremony, being the oldest and most revered of the Geisha’s traditions, deserves the utmost in respect during rendition of the beautifully solemn event, and I believe I have done the ceremony (and the women who perform it) justice in my work. The entire culture is incredible and needs to have a light shown class="MsoNormal">
“Circles” Series:
The “Circles” series started as a simple doodle during a high school art class, which was randomly found five years later. Continuing with the original theme of contrast between concentric circles and straight edges, I have found a whole new perspective, which has allowed me to create an aesthetic balance of bold, sensual colors, layered textures, hard and soft edges, and pattern and design. All the artistic elements create an extremely dimensional and interesting body of work that stuns the viewer. Each of these drawings has three “interior” works to focus class="MsoNormal">
“Mehndi” Series:
The “Mehndi” series has been inspired by the traditional henna designs used in Africa, Morocco, India, and the Middle East for centuries. The henna paste (created from dried henna leaves and water) has a number of health benefits, most importantly, a cooling effect class="MsoNormal">
Other Works
The most important works for the progression of myself as an artist and an individual are my newest paintings – the class="MsoNormal">