ELLISVILLE – Jones College sophomore Art majors heard from William Carey University graduates and current art instructors, Tim Kinard and Elizabeth Owen about their careers and the business of art. The couples’ recent show, “Bound by Fire” featured ceramic sculptures at the Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery on the Jones College campus. Even though the couple share a studio at their home and primarily work with ceramics, the end results are very different.
“My work is more colorful and whimsical,” said Owens. “I grew up at my grandmother’s house where she had floral couches, little knick knacks, and colorful quilts which inspired my work.”
Her husband’s work is quite the opposite, and yet they inspire each other’s work at times. Owens shared with the JC students that adding bases to some of her sculptures was inspired by one of her husband’s sculptures. Kinard said some of his wife’s techniques inspired him to improve his work too.
“My sculptures are usually very earthy and traditional with a twist,” said Tim Kinard. “I like making my own clay which tends to be darker to better show off the colors. I also tend to add a face to my pieces or add unusual or unexpected forms in my sculptures.”
The couple shared with students that they had to initially focus on functional-ware or pottery like mugs and bowls before they could really create pieces of art that could not be mass produced. Their art business had to be able to pay the bills before they could really focus on their current artwork.
Owens currently teaches at Itawamba Community College, and her husband Tim Kinard teaches at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Their artwork was on display in November at Jones College. For more information about upcoming JC art shows or to arrange a visit to the gallery call 601-477-8401. The Eula Bass Lewis Art Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays. The gallery is closed during the holidays. To learn more about the Jones College Art Department, https://www.jcjc.edu/programs/finearts/ or the JC Art Department’s social media: Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/JCJCFineArts/ and on Instagram @artatjonescollege.