Jeffrey Catherine Jones R.I.P.

THE ARTIST Jeffrey Catherine Jones died yesterday, May 19th 2011.

Jones early career is noted for the many science fiction, fantasy and pulp paperback covers painted for Ace Books, but there was also a limited amount comics work produced, such as supporting strips in Flash Gordon published by King Comics in the 1960s.

As the American comics market began to diverse and expand Jones would produce two note worthy and still acclaimed series with Idyll for National Lampoon magazine in the 1970s and I'm Age for Heavy Metal during the 1980s.

Jones was part of The Studio, an iconic group of artists who for three years shared studio space in New York. The others were Mike Kaluta, Barry Windsor-Smith, Bernie Wrightson, all individuals of legendary status in the comic and popular culture art world. A book, collecting their work, suitably titled The Studio, was published in Britain by Roger Dean's Dragon's Dream back in 1979.

The winner of several Hugo Awards, and other professional accolades, personal matters had affected the artist in the last decade or so, but in recent years such matters were being readdressed, with a great following of fans regularly rejoicing in postings of newer and classic work on Facebook.

Alas, Jeffrey Catherine Jones passed away yesterday due to complications from severe emphysema and bronchitis.

No less an artist than Frank Frazetta had called Jones "the greatest living painter in the world." It will be a considerable length of time before another is given that title.

Speech Balloons respectively sends its condolences to the family, friends and fans of Jeffrey Catherine Jones.

Jeffrey Catherine Jones's official website is still up and can be found at: www.jeffreyjones-art.com