Lois Mailou Jones — The Joy Project

Continuing the Art of Play
July 27, 2022

Artist: Lois Mailou Jones

Join Zoom Meeting / Class
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87618016665

Lois Mailou Jones was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Thomas Vreeland and Carolyn Jones. Her father was a building superintendent who later became a lawyer after becoming the first African-American to earn a law degree from Suffolk Law School. Her mother worked as a cosmetologist.

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Jones’ career began in the 1930s and she continued to produce art work until her death in 1998 at the age of 92. Her style shifted and evolved multiple times in response to influences in her life, especially her extensive travels. She worked with different mediums, techniques, and influences throughout her long career. Her extensive travels throughout Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean influenced and changed how she painted. She felt that her greatest contribution to the art world was "proof of the talent of black artists". She wished to be known as an American painter with no labels. Her work echoes her pride in her African roots and American ancestry. Wikipedia

1928–1936

Wikipedia

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Google Arts & Culture

Against All Odds

5 Fast Facts: Lois Mailou Jones

Warm-up + project:

Lois Mailou Jones is an artist to be recognized and remembered as one of the last living artists of the Harlem Renaissance art group.

We will focus on Jones's early textile designs and the style of her early work.

You may paint, draw, or use cut paper.

You may want to gather templates, stencils, or punches (if you are cutting out pieces from colored paper) to use for your project.

We will create textile patterns using vibrant colors, shapes, and repeat patterns.