(Image: "Being Whole" by Jean Noon)

Jean Noon graduated from Goddard College in Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and Agriculture. In addition to receiving her Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the University of Southern Maine, Jean also studied sculpture and ceramics there as well. For seven years, Ms. Noon has attended the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine.

"In the spirit of Alexander Calder, I draw with wire. I enjoy taking wire lines for walks through space. I celebrate line, structure, shadow, humor, transparency and movement. I alternate between large, small, minimal, and complex forms. I am intrigued by the negative space within and around structure and the evolution of the forms through the process of assemblage. My interest in and appreciation of traditional and nontraditional basket weaving enhances the work. As a farmer I build and maintain the wire fences to contain my sheep, llama, and horses. My sculpture is an extension of that fencing and the wire becomes the structure to contain and communicate ideas."--Jean Noon

When did you first realize that you were going to be an artist and when did you first start making art?
My favorite subject in school was art. I also loved animals and taught myself how to draw horses in about second grade.

Who or what inspires you?
On my tenth birthday I saw a large Henry Moore at BMA that knocked my socks off. Most of my works are inspired by animals. And of course my media is that of Alexander Calder.

(Image: "Pony Dreams #39" by Jean Noon)

Is (was) anyone else in your family in the arts?
My Grandmother was a water-colorist and graduated from the Museum School in 1910. My mother was a gifted knitter.

Are you self-trained or did you go to art school?
A bit of both. I took studio classes in college, then went back to school to become a certified art teacher, and that was a lot of studio work as well. I also have attended Open Door several times at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.

Is the process of creating your art long or short?
Both—I often think about a piece for several days of months before beginning. Other times I will just make something more quickly by just beginning.

Tell us something about your work.
Most of my work presently is abstracted animal sculpture. Sometimes I also do non objective work and figures. Currently I have been on a bird jig.

(Image: "Cardinal Whimsy-Oiseau '02" by Jean Noon)

Do you have a subject matter that defines you as an artist?
I have made 165 horses so they may define me (or I them).

What makes you stay with a particular subject matter? Why are you drawn to it?
I have always loved the beasts and currently have two. I suppose learning to draw them so long ago helps me realize their lines.

How do you stay motivated?
I have a studio that is my haven. I feel content when I have time to work there. There are so many subtleties to explore, each piece leads to the next. Working is for me a great adventure of discovery.

What have you been working on lately? Are you experimenting with anything new?
Recently I have been using more aluminum wire. My early wire works rust, while the aluminum is longer lasting. have been using gut, but it is not suitable for out door sculpture.

Has your medium changed from when you first became an artist?
I began working on my own with silver wire making jewelry in high school. Then I painted, mostly oils for several years. I still do love to paint, my most recent paintings have been non objective water colors. My primary media is wire, and steel rod. I weld sometimes but mostly bend.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Find a medium that you love and do it!

(Image: Early Stage of "Untitled #3" by Jean Noon)

What kind of comment do you despise the most when overheard at one of your openings?
I am always amused by comments.

What kind of comment pleases you the most when overheard at one of your openings?
When someone wants to purchase a piece!

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
Not that well. I need to get into more galleries to share my work to a wider audience.

Do you have any outside interests other than art?
I operate an organic sheep farm and am an avid volunteer in a land trust. I love music, good restaurants and animals.

(Image: "Inside the Bar-Winslow Homer" by Jean Noon)

Are you disciplined about your creative process (in other words, do you treat the process like a job, where you keep particular hours in the studio), or are you more spontaneous?
My studio time fits in around my farm schedule. Some times of the year are more art productive than others.

How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create art?
There would be a big empty hole. I would be malnourished.

What's the best part of being a full time, working artist?
I am not really full time. I like to have a lot going on and flourish in the diversity of my interests.

Do you have any upcoming shows?
I have been invited to show a small herd of horses at The Pingry School in South Hamilton Massachusetts this fall.

Where can we find your work?
Currently I have work here at the farm, at the Judith Leighton Gallery in Blue Hill, The Maine Art Gallery In Kennebunk, The Hive In Kennebunk, and The Dorothy Rogers Collection in Santa Fe.

>link to Jean Noon's website

- Brenda Bonneville, editor

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