Art & Photography

"There's Just Something about Pumpkins"... Up Close with Artist Nancy Reed-Jones

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Published: 15 October 2014 15 October 2014

George: I really like this photo of you standing in front of your mural with the pumpkins. How did it come about?

Nancy: I painted the mural at Soons Orchards last fall as part of the "Farm Art Trail" with the Wallkill River School. One artist painted on each farm where people could watch and also learn more about the farm and the Wallkill River School and their mission. I painted three large panels, each depicting a different part of the farm.

The first was Soons apple orchards where I also included one of the family dogs. The second was of the Pumpkin Patch and the third of the actual farm stand building. While we were painting the mural groups of people took tours of the farm and watched the painting being done.  

I love the fact that something that I created will be part of Soons Orchards for years to come. 

George: How do you feel about painting around this time of year?

Nancy: The autumn season is my favorite time of year. I think of it as "Gods Art Show" and it is like no other. We artists pale in comparison to the magnificent array of colors that he can produce as our creator.

I especially love painting en plein air in the fall when everything surrounding us has a warm glow about it. I feel it is produced by a magical force right before the landscape goes to sleep for the winter.

George: Tell us about your recent Pumpkin Painting that sold?

Nancy: This painting is titled "The Harvest." I included two of my autumn favorites in this painting. One is my love of mums because they show the true colors of autumn. The other is pumpkins.They remind me of the beautiful region we live in and of happy memories as a child picking pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.The person who purchased my painting has stated that it will hang in her dining room for the fall and holiday season.

George: You also teach. What's it like teaching your classes?

Nancy: Even with my great love of painting, I must say I really enjoy the teaching aspect of it as well.  I teach beginner "Arty Parties" every Thursday evening at the Wallkill School Of Art. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite wine, snacks and paint in a party atmosphere. Even if a student has never painted before, they leave my class knowing that everyone has the ability to create art. I work with each person at the level they are at and encourage them to be creative in their own right, while creating a safe and non judgmental environment for them. I really enjoy having these very large classes because even though everyone is painting the same scene, they somehow all turn out just a little different. I love seeing the faces of the students who never knew they could paint. I feel very blessed to have the ability to unleash in my students their artistic abilities that were unknown to them.

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Bio: Nancy Reed Jones came to the Hudson Valley from Long Island in 2004, where she owned her own mural business for several years. While living on Long Island, Nancy painted murals for cancer patients at a hospital there. Her murals were used for "guided imagery" to help alleviate the patients pain. Nancy also taught "Art For Relaxation" classes to the nurses and doctors at the hospital.

In 2008 Nancy joined the Wallkill River School of Art in Montgomery where she is now an instructor and on the Board Of Directors.

In 2013 she was awarded the "Champion Of The Arts In Healthcare" award by the Orange County Arts Council and in 2010 was voted #1 acrylic artist in the region.