About the Artist

It took several years for Paula Willis Jones to realize that the vein of artistic talent pulsed through her. She was born (1962) and raised in Haskell, OK. She then experienced a successful career in science education in Connecticut. During this time, the passion for painting ignited through informal training with her mother and then formal training at the Lyme Academy of Fine Art in (1992-1993). She has never looked back since that pivotal time- allowing her to generate a significant body of work.

Her professional art career began in Connecticut with two one-woman shows. They were very successful which fueled her desire to continue on a professional level. Using oil painting as her base, her portraiture and genre painting has expanded to include unique applications on metal as well as abstract ink drawings.

BIOGRAPHY

When I am struck with an idea for a piece of artwork, I try to begin and finish the piece as quickly as I can. The work is very fresh with that approach. If I spend too much time pondering the idea, the critic in my head begins to alter the idea until it becomes contrived. I am learning to trust my first instinct.

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Having my work shown on the Martha Stewart Living television show
Having a one-woman exhibit in our state capitol to coincide with the inauguration of our new governor
Doing portraits for two Oklahoma governors
Commissioned painting for the Federal Reserve Bank
Participating in all of the Heart of the West shows at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas
And one of my favorites, a portrait of Ochoa, the highest money earning quarter horse of all time! Yee-haw!
Southwest Art Magazine: Artistic Excellence Finalist Dec. 2017
Southwest Art Magazine: One of 47 Editor" picks for 2017
National Cowboy Hall and Western heritage Center's "Small Works Great Wonders Show, 2018 and 2019