Art of Albert Lee Jones
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Albert
Lee's ability to perceive aesthetically began at an early age. As a child,
innate sensitivity to the world around him laid the foundation for development
of his artistic abilities. As a young artist, Al came to realize that the key
to a successful work of art is the understanding and application of basic
design principles. He believes fundamental principles of design are expressed
with perfect harmony and balance in nature, from which mankind's design
concepts are either directly or indirectly derived. He loves the challenge of
exploring the unknown. His affinity for conquering new phenomena fuels the
diversity in his artistic expression.
Albert Lee
holds a Master of Arts degree in fine art and advertising design, with more
than five decades of success as an award-winning fine and graphic artist. His
career as a professional artist includes that of visual information specialist,
exhibits designer and curator, videographer, marketing communications and
advertising design professional/business owner, and adjunct university and
college professor. He has many paintings in the Air Force Art Collection
and on display in the Pentagon and selected art in the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Art Collection, in honor of his 14 years of service as the Pentagon OSD Historical Exhibits Curator/Program Manager. His fine and commercial art works have won many
awards and are owned by more than 190 U.S. private collectors in 29 States,
Nykoping Sweden; Marsden Point, New Zealand; Northland New Zealand; Brisbane,
Australia; Brandenburg, Australia; and London England.
As an adjunct professor, 1976-2003, Al
developed and taught a variety of university and college courses, including,
World Humanities, World and Art History, Fine Art Drawing and Painting, Graphic
Design, 2D and 3D Design, Computer Graphics, and Marketing and Advertising, at
the University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL, Augusta State University, Augusta,
GA, Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN, Greenville Technical College,
Greenville, SC, and Calhoun Collage, Huntsville, AL. His
exceptional diversity as an artist includes that of an accomplished
portraitist.
1969-1972, Al was employed with NASA
Headquarters, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama, as
a conceptual artist, in support of NASA's Integrated Lunar and Mars Mission
Programs. He and select fellow MSFC artists, such as Renato Moncini, Marshall
Space Flight Center's lead artist (https://www.facebook.com/therenatomoncinistory/videos/renato-moncini-montage/10200158210189381), collaborated directly
with NASA's program development scientists and space hardware design
engineers in the artistic conception of aeronautical space hardware, including
the "Space Shuttle," "Nuclear Shuttle," "Lunar Command
and Service Module," "Lunar Module (LM) Landing Craft,"
"Space Tug," and "Space Station," in support of
Congressional funding for the "Integrated Space Program." The
program's budget proposal, with artistic conceptions of the space hardware was
submitted to Vice President Agnew, the Space Task Group, and the U.S. Senate
Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences with great success in August of
1969. Works of art from the program appeared worldwide in various national and international newspapers, magazines, and published books. Al was one of three exhibit designers selected to
implement and install the first exhibits, displays, and other visuals in NASA's
original U.S. Space and Rocket Center Museum, Huntsville, Alabama, constructed
in 1970 for display of the Lunar Mission's "Apollo Command Module,"
"Moon Rock," and a variety space hardware and space gear, now on
display at the Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC.
As a patriot, after 9/11 2001, Al joined with the Department of Defense, serving with the U.S. Naval Air Training Command, U.S. Air Force Mobility Command, U.S. Air Force Secretary of Air Force, and 14 years as the Pentagon Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Historical Exhibits Curator/Program Manager (https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186560442).
In 1984, he was commissioned to design and implement three large biblical dioramas and assist with displays and photographic visuals (depicting the history of Judaism beginning 1,500 B.C. - "The Land, The People, and The Book," and the "Holocaust" of W.W. II) for the Messianic Center Museum, Chattanooga, Tennessee. One of his many painting commissions over the years includes four large landscapes (4-1/2 ft. x 6-1/2 ft.) for the then (1996) newly constructed Duke Power facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
Al studied with renowned artists Emory Bopp and Carl Blair and is influenced by a number of Renaissance artists, including, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Portrait artists include: Johannes Vermeer (Jan Vermeer), John Singer Sargent, and John Howard Sanden. Contemporary artists and photographers include: Arnold Friberg, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, Hurbret Shuptrine, and photographers Ansel Adams and Chris Honeysett.
Artist's Philosophy:
Al's philosophy of art is influenced by Dr. Francis August Schaeffer and is founded in his belief and conviction that fundamental principles of design are expressed with perfect harmony and balance in nature, from which mankind's design concepts are directly or indirectly derived. As one of his most respected mentors, Emory Bopp, said: "...art is a means of fashioning forms from dreams and imaginations, of learning more of the infinite beauty with which God has surrounded us in His creation (John 1:1-3)." Al contends that an "enduring" work, apart from historical, political, or social implications, must employ one or more principles of design, found in nature, and a degree of formality. Design principles (balance, rhythm, harmony, repetition, contrast, etc.) and design elements (value, color, texture, shape, space, etc.) are fundamental to a successful work of art, whether intended as structured or unstructured art forms. This approach provides endless possibilities for objective and subjective interpretation of subject matter, as well as creative energy for the artist. Al desires for those who view his work to relate first and foremost to the art's intrinsic value. Associative values should become relative only after appreciating the work based upon its visual appeal and intrinsic design qualities. Appreciating the work as "Art for Art's Sake"- apart from didactic, moral, political, or utilitarian impressions.
"No work of
art is more important than the Christian's life, and every Christian is
called to be an artist in this sense... The Christian's life is to be a
thing of truth and also a thing of beauty in the midst of a lost and
despairing world."
- Dr. Francis August Schaeffer
Artist's Comment:
As an eclectic, the body of my work reflects various forms of
artistic expression (realism, abstraction, and impressionism) and medias
(painting, drawing, construction, three dimension, pottery, graphics,
photography, multimedia, and video). Basic design principles (balance, rhythm,
harmony, repetition, contrast, etc.) and formalism are fundamental
in the exploratory stage of the creative process. Regardless of the challenge,
I use a formal approach in the design and depiction of phenomena. Therefore, a
large degree of time is given to studying the outstanding qualities of the
subject matter's formal values and how they will best express themselves within
the intended composition.
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Albert Lee is past president of the Greenville Artists Guild, Greenville, SC; former board member of the Greenville County Museum of Art, Greenville, SC; Greater Greenville and Greater Spartanburg South Carolina Chambers of Commerce; Better Business Bureau of the Foothills. SC; Greater United Way Community Awareness Committee, Greenville, SC; Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC PAC), Greenville, SC; Sertoma International, Greenville, SC; Executive Association of Greenville, SC; RoundTowners Volunteer Group, Greenville, SC; Civic Arts League of Chattanooga, TN; Board of Directors, Augusta Care Pregnancy Center, Augusta, GA; Who's Who Registry of Global Business Leaders (1993-1997); Kiwanis Club, Augusta, GA; The Greater Augusta Advertising Club, Augusta, GA; Augusta State University Faculty Club, Augusta, GA; International Who's Who of Entrepreneurs; Huntsville Art League, Huntsville, AL; Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL; St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association, St. Louis, MO; and existing member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA); Society of Illustrators; U.S. North American Museums; Air Force Art Collection, Pentagon, Washington, DC; Foreign Area Officer Association (FAO), Washington, DC; Heritage Foundation, Washington, DC; Conservative Partnership, Washington, DC; Family Research Council, Washington, DC.; Select Member of Marquis Who's Who Top Artists (https://marquistopartists.com/2022/11/26/albert-jones/).
Website Links:
Marquis Who's Who Top Artists Press Release: Artist, Albert Lee Jones is recognized by Marquis Who's Who for Excellence in Fine Art and Visual Communications.
U.S. Air Force Art Collection Program, managed by Secretary of Air Force:
https://www.afapo.hq.af.mil/Public/Presentation/Artists/artistsdetail.cfm?Letter=J&value=2551
(web link requires desktop computer connection to view images - thumbnail links located at right side of screen provide larger views)
EMAIL: aljones61@aol.com