Artist Spotlight
A Day in the Life of ... Carolee Jones
How does your day begin?
I’m up early, even though it’s not my choice to be a morning person, but my family’s schedule demands that I am. With 5 children getting every one shuttled to and from early morning scripture/seminary class, stage band 2/jazz band practice and school, there is no time for laziness in the mornings, but once they are all off I then begin MY day! I start with a two mile walk out in the brisk air. Summer times in Alaska are breathtaking as I bask in the warmth of the sunlight and stride in the glow of the magnificent colors of the sunrises. Winter times I bundle up and look like the Muffler Mission Man in all my winter gear, the temperatures sometimes dips down to -15 degrees, but again the stars and the northern lights are incredible to see as I get my daily exercise. This time of day also can inspire me of a color pallet as I gaze at God’s pallet across the morning sky. Then it’s back to the house to grab a bite to eat, check email, browse the Message Board, go over my day’s list of things to do and brainstorm.
I also help run our home based business of Custom Lettering & Signs and multitasking during the morning hours are essential to accomplishing anything. I will answer phone calls, take orders for jobs and print up invoices and do design work while I’m checking my emails, browsing the MB and or have a quick chat with a friend for comfort or inspiration depending on who needs what. Then once I’m inspired and full of ideas I sit at my other desk area and begin to sketch, ink and color or paint artwork. This is my favorite time of the day…when everything comes together. (*see more photo's of Carolee's life and family.)
What are some of your creative habits?
With my busy lifestyle and boisterous children the noise level in our home is hardly ever quiet, so I totally enjoy the few hours during the day when the only sounds I hear are the chirping of my birds (I have two sets of zebra finches), the hum of the fan on our wood stove and the majestic cry of an eagle as it sours past my window. Depending on the theme of art I am working on, I will sometimes put on music that matches for inspiration, such as Christmas music during a set of snowmen, or nature CD of the sounds of water and wind while coloring summer time leaves and trees. But silence is my choice of music most often.
After I finish a part of a creatable I treat myself to a short break and browse the MB and see what all the chat is about there. Sometimes, if my husband is home, I’ll get a hand and foot massage, and I too of course enjoy an occasional sweet treat… all depends on what I have in the house or can rustle up in the kitchen. I enjoy cooking and baking and LOVE the smell and taste of it all, just not the mess afterwards. I also LOVE when the mail comes and thoroughly enjoy thumbing through the craft magazines for new ideas and products.
What other art related jobs do you do?
My husband and I, as a team, run a home based business called Custom Lettering & Signs where I do the design work on the computer for all kinds of signs. Our business covers everything from the boring directional signs you see in the hospital to the “DO NOT…” signs out on the boat harbor to the interesting and unique store signs among many of the businesses in Homer, Alaska. We also do lots of vinyl lettering for boats, big rig trucks and all sorts of gadgets, you name it, we’ll do it if we can. Both my husband and I feel great pride as we see throughout our town, all the areas our designs and hard work have touched.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays I teach a one hour art class at the Odyssey Academy to a group of 14-16 year olds, and on Thursdays after school I also teach private art lessons, right now the age group for this class is between 10-12 years of age. I try to teach basic concepts and techniques that will help the artist to think outside of the box. Art is a learned talent and the more you practice with the right amount of training and techniques the better you become. I tell my students “there is no such thing as a mistake, only an interesting design in a new direction, and never think you’ve arrived at a place where you know it all, there is always something new to learn and grow from”.
Who do you currently have licensing agreements with?
pcCrafter.com is my main focus at this time, where I have over 22 Creatables available for purchase online. I have worked for Provo Craft in a joint venture with Gina Jane Johnson in the creation of the Honeyville CD last year where I designed the three fonts and some 30 other frames and images, and look forward to creating another CD with Provo Craft in the near future.
I have done freelance piece work for individuals such as logos and personal portraits, and even large wall murals for businesses. I have had to learn to recognize and embrace the true value of my artwork and talent as the demand for such things has increased over the years. It also fills my heart with such joy as I see how the look of an environment is shaped with my contribution of art with in their establishment.
I also have a few smaller licensing contracts with some embroidery companies for patterns using my designs.
What are your future plans?
My plans for the future are to grow with pcCrafter.com and continue to provide unique and creative artwork for them and you. I’d also like to broaden my artistic adventures into other areas that could perhaps utilize my existing artwork into other mediums such as stickers, papers, cards, figurines, and fabric. But my dream is to someday see my illustrations in a book I can read to my children, and someday my grandchildren. I have a love for quality artwork combined with a classic story line that will last for years to come, and so I have purchased hundreds of children’s books sometimes just because of the illustrations and other times for the story, and read to my children from them all the time.
Final thoughts?
Living in Homer, Alaska has helped me appreciate the simple things in life, such as family, warmth, shelter, and food, but most importantly love and acceptance. I owe all my talents to my Lord, and Savior, whom gave me the very air I breathe and my hands with which to create and the millions of ideas that are planted in my head every morning just before dawn. My faith, the love of my Savior and my family is what allows me to be the person I am, this gives me room to grow and learn as I strive to share the knowledge I’ve gained and the talents I’ve developed with others around me.
To view more of Carollee's art CLICK HERE:
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