RENOWNED ARTIST FOCUSES ON STUDENTS' SUCCESS

STEADY, NOW STEADY . . . Associate Art Professor Ruthe Blalock Jones helps Sonography and Medical Imaging major Rciesha Talton during a March 26 Acrylic Painting class. (Baconian Online Photo by Ashley Sanchez)

For some, art is not important. For others it is their world.

Ruthe Blalock Jones is an inspiration, role model, and well-known artist across the globe, according to her peers and students.

A Bacone associate art professor, Jones comes from a line of Native affiliation.

For some, art is not important. For others it is their world.

Ruthe Blalock Jones is an inspiration, role model, and well-known artist across the globe, according to her peers and students.

A Bacone associate art professor, Jones comes from a line of Native affiliation.

“I am Shawnee, Delaware, and Peoria, but I identify with Shawnee,” says Jones, who is one of six women elders in her tribe, a lifelong commitment.

Beginning her career at Bacone as an art teacher in 1979, Jones always knew she was an artist, even at age 11.

“I remember people asking children what they want to be when they grow up,” she said. “I never said ‘I’m going to or I want to be.’ I always said I am an artist.”

For some students she is more than just their teacher.

Junior Clary James says “there are so many things that she has taught that are unspoken.”

“It’s what she shows me that I hold dear to my art,” she added.

Art major Kayla Morton believes that Jones teaches how to be a better artist and creates great work.

“She has taught me new art techniques,” said Morton, “but most importantly she has been an inspiration. Ruthe pushes me to become a better artist.”

Jones established herself at age 15. She entered her first art contest, thanks to family friend Charles Max Wilson, who pushed her to full capability.

The competition took place in Miami and Jones took first prize.

Later the Bacone associate art professor entered the Philbrook show in Tulsa, and won honorable mention.

It was during a later Philbrook Art Museum competition where Jones met one of the judges Acee Blue Eagle, who purchased her painting.

Blue Eagle was the first art director at Bacone from 1935-1938.

“The first painting I ever sold is in the Smithsonian in Washington,” Jones said. “They acquired the Blue Eagle collection after his death.”

She has art all around the world, from the Smithsonian,  Department of Interior, the Heard Museum, and two Tulsa museums.

Jones discussed highlights of her career from two years ago.

“One of my paintings was exhibited in the Embassy in Africa for about three years,” she added.

Drawing II student Justin Chambers says he hopes “I can make art up to her standards someday.”

In 1990, Jones was a panelist in a Salzburg exhibition.

“This conference was actually held in a castle,” she said.

Then in 2005 Jones traveled to London and discussed marketing Indian art at the British Museum.

A year later she spoke and exhibited in Japan with people from Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum.

Jones brought the student art exhibit back to Bacone College last month.

Jones believes the art exhibit gave students exposure and attention, “one thing that is hard to find,” she said.

Art has a unique meaning to Jones.

“Art is to be exhibited and shown to the public,” she said. “That’s what art is, just a natural thing.”