Laguna Art Museum Exhibits Artist John Paul Jones

I was fortunate to attend UCI at a time when the Fine Arts department was enjoying a resurgence of attention to the arts. Every quarter we would have visiting artists come in and teach classes; there was Billie Al Bengston, Joe Goode, Ed Moses and other highly accomplished artists who would critique your work and tell stories but what we as students found most interesting was their insight into the fine art world.

The reason this comes to mind is the excellent show at the Laguna Art Museum featuring the works of John Paul Jones who died in 1999. John Paul Jones, a Laguna Beach resident, taught at UCI from 1969 to 1990 and I was lucky to be one of his students. He founded the printmaking department at UCLA in 1953 and was brought to UCI by Tony Delap to start the print department. He was my professor for many print classes as well as independent study.

He was an introspective, quiet man who encouraged every student to find his or her own voice. John Paul had a romantic sensibility of what art does and what the teaching of art is all about. He was never patronizing but engaged students with dialogue and ideas at whatever their level.

The show is a wonderful reminder of an artist who wasn't into following flashy trends but followed his own voice and vision.

Laguna Beach is home to many diverse and interesting people and over the years as I moved from an art student to being a Realtor I appreciate more and more this little city and our link to the arts.