Artist: Loïs Mailou Jones
(1905-1998)
Lois Mailou Jones was an African American painter best known for her considerable influence during the Harlem Renaissance
Her parents encouraged her art from an early age, urging her to draw and paint whenever possible
She was an incredibly educated woman, attending the High School of Practical Arts in Boston before going on to study at The Boston Museum of Fine Arts and The Boston Normal Art School, as well as taking graduate classes at Harvard University and Columbia University. She received her bachelor’s from Howard University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She also received a fellowship to study in Paris at the Acadèmie Julian.
She founded the art department of the Palmer Memorial Institute in North Carolina, and was recruited one year later to join Howard University’s art department as a watercolor professor
Her main inspiration was Celine Marie Tabard, a painter whom Jones cultivated an artistic friendship and alliance with. Tabard would often submit Jones’ works for jury prizes because of the prejudice against African Americans. They traveled to many countries together and painted each other as well.
She has won 13 prominent awards for her art, which is recognized by its bright colors, distinct style, and influence of Cubism and Haitian art.
