Photo by Teresa Kendrick
When creating a self portrait, Jones took inspiration from Norman Rockwell, painting in his own likeness.
Photo by Teresa Kendrick
For a commission from the Worthington Bank in Ft. Worth, Jones created 12 watercolor paintings showcasing his unique perspective that hang in the downtown bank.
After spending a few hours talking with longtime artist and instructor Danny Jones of Wimberley, one is struck by his unusually open gaze. An excellent quality for an artist, it’s also an indication of his ability to connect with others as a teacher.
One of six children, Jones was born and raised in Post, Texas, 40 miles south of Lubbock. He decided early on that teaching was something that appealed to him. It was his third grade teacher that inspired him.
“Miss Ray was so good at teaching and loved her job so much that I thought, ‘If she can like teaching that much, that’s what I want to do.’ Just by her actions, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher too.”
After high school, he attended college at West Texas State University in Canyon, studying math until one semester, he enrolled in an art class. After looking at his work and his obvious talent, his instructor asked him why he wasn’t studying art. Soon after, his focus became art education.
After earning his degree from West Texas State, Jones pursued another deep interest of his, travel, studying art in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, living in New Mexico, teaching near the Gulf of Mexico, and otherwise finding plenty of things to focus that gaze upon.
To date, he has traveled to 48 states and 36 countries with his wife Lynn who he says is a perfect traveling companion. Some of their travel has been to lead destination workshops in portrait drawing, oil painting, watercolor and other media.
An indicator of things to come, Jones took a position teaching art in Waco at La Vega High School where he was named “Teacher of the Year.”
While some artists simply don’t have the temperament for teaching, it was a perfect fit for Danny. “I loved it. Teaching students was just one part of it, I also loved getting to know the community, the teachers around me, and becoming involved with their lives.”
After meeting Lynn, who was an elementary school teacher, the couple moved to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and began long teaching careers in nearby Mansfield. His ability to connect with students led the Mansfield school district to name a school in his honor, the Danny Jones Middle School.
”That was such an honor. We had a big party attended by lots of family and friends. Many former students and teachers came to the dedication and afterwards we all went dancing. It was a very, very nice honor,” he said.
When asked how teaching and art collide, Danny said, “I think teaching can be so creative. When you teach art, you have to be able to figure out what students might be good at. Many came into the classroom saying they couldn’t draw a lick, so I’d point them to photography, a pottery wheel or sculpting. Once I found out what worked for them, I would help them go further in whatever they were interested in doing.”
In looking back on his career he said, “I had a lot of really good students. A lot of them are artists and professors now. Every student I had loves and appreciates art now, even though they may not do it as a profession. Many of them still have their artwork from high school, and I’m friends with a lot of them on Facebook.”
His enthusiasm for teaching art extended to his children, Mike and Kay. “Mike once told me was interested in learning to sculpt, so I taught him how.” While Mike does not presently work in the arts, several of his talented sculptures can be seen in the Jones’ art-filled home in Woodcreek.
After retirement, Danny continued to lead workshops in such places as Santa Fe, Taos, Alpine, Telluride, Pagosa Springs, San Miguel de Allende, and other locations. Lynn entertained spouses who were not enrolled in the workshops.
Next month, Danny will lead a three-day workshop in Wimberley at the Art on 12 Gallery, February 23, 24 and 25.
Lynn herself is very involved with the arts. She served as president of the Wimberley Art League for several years and is now lending her talents to Wimberley Arts.org where she heads up the Bootiful Boots program.
