When Jean Jones died in 2012 she left behind a treasure trove of over four hundred paintings, all stacked in a corner of her Dartmoor cottage, gathering dust and waiting to be discovered. When maritime artist Anthony Amos died in 2010 he left a legacy of hundreds of paintings bought by a legion of collectors who admired his work for over twenty years.
Whilst neither received due recognition for their work during their lifetime, both are now greatly admired and sought after. Indeed one of Jean Jones’ paintings – “Dartmoor : China Clay” - is on the wall at The Box, Plymouth as part of its “People and Place” Art Collection Showcase.
Jean Jones had a lifelong love of Devon. As a child the family lived near Noss Mayo then she and her Oxford Don husband had a small near Shaugh Prior. Jean became captivated with the wild landscapes of Dartmoor especially the Standing Stones at Ringmoor and the ever-changing River Plym which she captured beautifully in all its seasons.
In quiet contrast Anthony Amos loved to paint ships and boats. A merchant seaman for over twenty years he was fascinated by the men and women who made their living working on the land and at sea. His paintings capture them as they plough the fields, haul in a catch or lead a team of horses to pull in a lifeboat.
Also featured is the late Plymouth artist Derek Holland whose beautiful gouache paintings of the small towns and villages of France radiate a warm sense of peace and harmony.
