George Jones and I in the late eighties
Today I was going through my flat files in the studio
looking for needed storage space, and I pulled out an old illustration painted
by my old friend George Jones, who passed away in the early nineties. George was in my opinion one of the really
fine illustrators of that period. When I
knew George, he was working mainly for Pocket Books, and Harlequin Romance out
of Canada. I also painted many Romance
covers for Harlequin and George was very generous with his knowledge and
expertise…..particularly when it came to painting beautiful women. He had the ability to take what was already a
beautiful model and enhance that beauty like very few artists could. George loved to talk about painting, art in
general, and the Illustration business.
He taught me a lot about painting romance covers in the late eighties
and early nineties…..of course, my covers never rose to the level of his, but I
did learn much from my old friend…..and certainly got a lot of laughs.
When George and his wife Cynthia decided to leave the New
York area and relocate to North Carolina, he gave me a historical romance cover
of his as a token of our friendship.
"The Naked Huntress" by George Jones
His
intention was to go down south and paint his first love, the old
steamships. He had several of his steamboat
paintings displayed in their home. They
were all beautifully painted, framed and each had its own special lighting. Sadly, he never really got to do much more of
that due to illness. He became ill shortly
after moving…..and within a year, I had to serve as pallbearer at his
funeral. I think of George as I’m sure
many of his old friends do and when his name comes up…..its always with
admiration for his talent and his fun nature.
I was fortunate to be attending a liquidation auction in
Ct., and was able to purchase one of George’s steamboat paintings. This painting and the Harlequin Romance painting shown above have been some of the favorites of our modest collection of art. I always intended to frame the romance piece
and display it. Now, I think it is time
after all these years. Thanks old
friend!
"The Long Branch", 19x32 oil, by George Jones
And, thanks for listening to my Ramblings!
