Art of Albert Lee Jones

About

Boyhood farm life and sensitivity to God’s principles of design laid the foundation and ability to aesthetically perceive design principles and elements found in nature. Scholastic and inspirational influences include Bob Jones University graduate art professors Emory Bopp (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emery_Bopp) and Carl Blair (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Blair), as well as the study of Andrew Wyeth and mentorship of Greenville, SC/Huntsville, AL Artist, Renato Moncini – “First Artist in Space” (https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/sc-news/2019-02-01/greenville-man-worked-with-nasa-as-first-artist-of-space), a NASA colleague and friend of more than 55 years.

As an eclectic, the body of my visual arts career reflects various forms of media (painting, drawing, construction, two and three dimension, advertising and exhibit design, video, etc.). While I continue with traditional fine art paintings, in my golden years I’m enjoying contemporary paintings of nature’s very vibrant and rich colors. God’s principles and elements of design found in nature provide endless possibilities for the creative process. Therefore, a large degree of time is given to studying the outstanding qualities of the subject-matter’s formal and informal values and how they will best express themselves within the intended composition.

An enduring work of art must employ one or more principles of design (Harmony, Balance, Contrast, Order, Unity, Variety, Repetition) and a degree of formality. Design principles and design elements are essential in both structured or unstructured art forms. Art first and foremost should be appreciated for its artistic appeal and intrinsic design qualities. Associative values should only become relative after appreciating a work of art as “Art for Art’s Sake” – apart from didactic, moral, political, or utilitarian impressions.

My philosophy of art follows that of Dr. Francis August Schaeffer (1912-1984), who states: “A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God, not just as tracks, mind you, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. An artwork can be a doxology in itself.” (https://books.google.com/books/about/Art_and_the_Bible.html?id=OclRXresCx4C). Enjoyment of Nature’s Vast Beauty involves not only the visual experience, but the Heart and Emotions, balanced with the Viewer’s Spirit and Love for God’s Majestic Creation (John 1:1-3) and the Arts. My goal is to produce works of art that bring Lasting Impressions of Nature’s Poetic Beauty and Freedom for the viewer, returning again and again for a refreshing visual experience.

___VISUAL ARTS CAREER BACKGROUND ___

Well-regarded for his eclectic art style, more than 190 private collectors in 29 U.S. states; Nykoping, Sweden; Marsden Point, Northland New Zealand; London England; Brisbane Australia; and Canada own Albert Lee’s fine-art paintings.

November 17, 2022, Albert Lee was inducted into Marquis Who’s Who as a Top Artist (https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/496056/artist-albert-lee-jones-is-recognized-by-marquis-whos-who-for-excellence-in-fine-art-and-visual-communications).

In 1985, Mr. Jones completed a Master of Arts degree in Fine Art and Advertising Design at Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC and Bachelor of Arts degree in General Art and Secondary Education, at Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN, in 1980. Following this accomplishment, he pursued a Master of Religious Education, with a minor in Pastoral Counseling, at Tennessee Temple Baptist Theological Seminary.

1974-1982, he served as Public Relations Director for Tennessee Temple University, Highland Park Baptist Church, and Temple Baptist Theological Seminary, Chattanooga, TN.

1982-1998, in association with DeMint Marketing Management, he was owner and marketing communications director of Jones Associates Marketing Communications and Ad Design Studio, Greenville, SC.

1998-2003, he founded and operated LionHeart Environmental & Marketing Inc., Augusta, GA.

As an “Adjunct” Fine/Visual Arts and World Humanities Art History Professor, he served with Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN; Greenville Technical College, Greenville, SC; University of Alabama and Calhoun College, Huntsville, Alabama; and Augusta State University, Augusta GA.

1964-1968 he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. 1969-1972, his career as a visual-communications professional began with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Integrated Space Program (Apollo II, Space Shuttle, Mars Expedition, and Space Station), NASA Headquarters, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL. With NASA, he was one of three visual artists selected to implement installation of exhibits for NASA’s original Space Science Museum (Now, U.S. Space and Rocket Center), constructed in support of NASA’s 1969 Lunar Mission’s Space Hardware Displays that featured the “Lunar Landing Craft,” “Moon Rock,” and “Space Gear” from the historic 1969 Lunar Mission Program (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Space_%26_Rocket_Center). A number of these artifacts (Lunar Module, Space Gear, etc.) are now on display at the Air and Space Museum, National Mall, Washington, DC (https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/destination-moon).

Following 9/11, he rejoined the DoD as a civil service employee, providing opportunity to honor and give back to those who serve and sacrifice in defense of our nation. 2003 to 2022 included One Year as Visual-Communications Specialist with the Naval Air Training Command, Pensacola, FL; Three Years as Multimedia Video Production Manager with 375th Air Wing Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL; Two Years as Visual-Communications Specialist with Secretary of Air Force A35  Support Group, Pentagon; and Fourteen Years as Department of Defense, Office of Secretary of Defense (DoD/OSD), Pentagon Exhibits Curator and Program Manager, documenting DoD history and the service and sacrifice of our military service members.

Drawing on more than 50 years of creative achievements, Al has excelled as an award winning visual artist. In recognition for his 14 years of service with the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) as the Pentagon’s Historical Exhibits Curator/Program Manager/Visual Artist, his fine art painting is included in the OSD Department of Defense (DoD) Art Collection. As the Pentagon’s OSD Historical Exhibits Curator Program Manager, Mr. Jones received accolades from both national and international leaders for his Pentagon Department of Defense historical exhibits design and visual artwork, including: U.S. Department of Defense Secretaries and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, U.S. Department of State, British and Italian Embassies, Ambassador of South Korea, Ambassador of Japan, Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Committee, Tragedy Assistance for Survivors Program (TAPS), Wounded Warrior Program, Eisenhower Memorial Committee, among others.

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Committed to his field, Al has served and worked with a variety of relevant organizations and clientele (many of which are represented on this website). To wit, 1982-1998 he held the positions of President of the Greenville Artists Guild and Board Member of the Greenville South Carolina Museum of Art; and memberships with the Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC), Greenville, SC; Executive Association of Greenville, SC; Greater Greenville and Greater Spartanburg Chambers of Commerce, SC; Better Business Bureau of the Foothills. SC; Greater United Way Community Awareness Committee, Greenville, SC;  Executive Association of Greenville, SC; Round Towner’s Volunteer Group, Greenville, SC; Sertoma International, Greenville, SC; “Who’s Who Registry of Global Business Leaders” (1993-97). 1999-2003 memberships included, The Greater Augusta Advertising Club, Augusta, GA; Augusta State University Faculty Club; Augusta, GA; Augusta Care Pregnancy Center Board of Directors, Augusta, GA; Kiwanis Club, Augusta, GA; International Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs; Huntsville Art League and Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL; Civic Arts League, Chattanooga, TN; Tennessee Artists Association, Knoxville, TN; St. Louis, MO Symphony Volunteer Association, St. Louis, MO; and U.S. Air Force Artists’ Historical Documentation Program, managed by the Secretary of the Air Force, beginning 2006 to date.

Presently, Al continues as a member of the Greenville, South Carolina Metropolitan Arts Council (MAC); Museum & Gallery (M&G) at Bob Jones University; Greenville County Museum of Art (GCMA); Artist Guild Gallery of Greenville (AGGofG); Greenville Center for Creative Arts (GCCA); National Maritime Historical Society (American Society of Marine Artist), NY; Society of Illustrators, NY; and the U.S. Air Force Art Collection Program. His artwork is found with numerous Greenville South Carolina concerns, including: Private Art Collectors; Bob Jones University, Student Art Collection; Duke Power Company, Greenville, SC and Charlotte, NC; Greenville County Redevelopment Authority; Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC; Southside Baptist Church/Christian School, Greenville, SC; Ellis Group, PA Architecture and Neal Prince & Partners Architects, Greenville, SC, among others.

In retirement from the Department of Defense, Al continues in his love of new challenges within fine and visual arts.