The eyes of an artist

Artist Fredonia Jacques considers herself quite fortunate that the world of art revealed itself in her life. “Art has brought me joy, escape, enrichment and perspective,” said Jacques.

Interestingly, Jacques’ artistic talent flourished in her mid-20s. “I was not one of those children who was always drawing, but I was fascinated with color and that is what led me to art,” she explained.

The interesting roads that life has taken Jacques on gave her incredible insight into her artistic world.

As a child, Jacques spent her youth in Cape Town, South Africa. “When I was 7 years old, I moved to Massachusetts, where I became acquainted with America,” remembered Jacques.

Her father, a college professor, immersed Jacques with all the historical, cultural and literary spots in Massachusetts and its surrounding areas.

While her father sparked the educational side for Jacques, her mother generated a love for music. “My mother was a concert pianist.”

In college, Jacques herself was a pianist who studied under prominent instructors. During this time, her passions were in music and interior design – where they remain.

Her love of painting arrived unexpectedly while she was in Africa with her husband and young child. “I was 26 years old and our car broke down. We had to stay in a little hotel at Mount Kilimanjaro.”

At this hotel, Jacques explained, she was in awe of some lovely paintings adorning the walls. Her admiration for these paintings was noticed and she had the opportunity to meet the artist. His name was Lone Oak, or at least that’s how he signed his work.

Jacques confessed to Lone Oak that she wanted to paint but knew she did not have the talent because she was unable to draw a straight line. “He told me that an artist doesn’t draw straight lines.”

It was then that Lone Oak became her first instructor. “He helped me with my first painting of Mount Kilimanjaro,” said Jacques.

“After that experience I just couldn’t stop painting. I started taking lesson after lesson.” Jacques took lessons in Virginia and Boston. But then one day, this student became a teacher.

Jacques became an art instructor at Loma Linda University in California, Kettering College of Medical Arts in Ohio and Battle Creek Health Center in Michigan. She also taught private classes throughout the United States.

Currently, Jacques has a few private students here in Fallbrook and has plans to offer art classes in the near future.

Jacques believes that each and every person has an artistic talent.

“I’ve decided that anyone can paint,” said Jacques. “Painting is learning to see; learning to look at things and having the courage to express what you feel about it.”

On a professional level, Jacques was featured in Art Trends Magazine. Her art showings have appeared in Washington, DC, Oregon, Michigan, Los Angeles, San Francisco and, of course, Fallbrook.

Currently, Jacques has her lovely artistic works displayed at the French Gallery in Fallbrook, located next to her son’s real estate office, The Jacques Company.

Visitors of the French Gallery admire her landscape and floral works. Her multitalented use of oil, acrylics and watercolors is superb.

Jacques adores the world of art because each person has the opportunity to experience it. “Everyone was given creativity by the Creator,” she said.

The French Gallery is located at 2809 South Mission Road.