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Arts and cultureYou are in: North Yorkshire > Entertainment > The Arts > Arts and culture > Home's where the art is  'That's Jazz' by Lesley Coates Jones Home's where the art isBy Alan Webber Ken Jones and his wife Lesley Coates Jones have been together since they met at art college in 1958. They are both painters but they work in separate studios at their home in the Dales, and never criticise each other's art unless asked to do so!  Lesley Coates Jones Ken and Lesley both loved painting from an early age. Lesley, from Wakefield, says: “The first time I can remember painting was when I was about two and a half when I took a pot of household paint from the kitchen cupboard and, much to my grandmother’s distress, painted mice on my grandfather’s newspaper.” Ken remembers growing up in Rotherham: "In the 40s it was very difficult to get drawing materials and I used to draw on the back of old envelopes and an aunt said ‘Oh he’s going to be an artist’ and my mum said ‘Oh no he’s not.’  Ken Jones "I determined that I would be from that point on. My maternal grandfather, who was a coal miner, urged me to go to college when I was 15.” Art collegeIt was another three years before the kindred spirits met at art college. They went to colleges in their native towns before arriving at Leeds Art College. Ken describes how they first met: “I saw this absolutely gorgeous girl who wowed me.
"She was so brilliant that I had to shield my eyes. Then I saw her again later when she came to Leeds for an interview and we struck up from there.” They married a few years later and have been together ever since.  Red Arc II by Ken Jones CompetitionBut despite their closeness Ken and Lesley keep their art work strictly separate. They each have a studio and paint in different, abstract styles. Lesley says: "Ken’s work is more dramatic and darker whereas mine is celebratory and optimistic. "We are not in the least competitive, certainly not with each other. If Ken sells a piece of work I feel more excited than if I do.”  Palette knives Ken confirms that they have always worked separately: “We are keen critics of each other’s work but only when asked. I wouldn’t dream of making a comment on Lesley’s work, nor she on mine without invitation. “I don’t think competition comes into it. If you are in competition with anyone it’s really with yourself." last updated: 03/06/2008 at 14:50 You are in: North Yorkshire > Entertainment > The Arts > Arts and culture > Home's where the art is
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