MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Citizens now have another reason to visit the Mountlake Terrace City Council chambers.
“Ballinger Greens.”
The acrylic painting of the Lake Ballinger landscape was donated recently to the city by longtime resident and artist Roger Jones.
The acrylic painting is soft and pleasant to view and perhaps a nice change from the ordinary scene in the chambers.
Jones said he decided to donate the painting for a few reasons — as a way to contribute to the community he has lived in for so many years, and because he doesn’t have the money to donate or time to volunteer. But most importantly, he said, he donated the piece as a way for his family, wife Grace Carlson Jones and their two adult daughters, to thank the community for all of their support in raising funds over the past two years for the Leukemia Society in the name of their beloved son Chauncey Jones.
At the young age of 20, Chauncey Jones, a 1998 graduate of Mountlake Terrace High School, was diagnosed with leukemia. Chauncey’s fight was brief and intense, lasting only four months.
According to his many friends and family, who are mostly from Mountlake Terrace and Brier, Chauncey confronted the leukemia with the same spirit and strength he did when he played sports as a young boy.
He lost his battle to leukemia in February, 2001, leaving a hole in the hearts of the family, friends and community.
Jones said while he always enjoys the city’s annual Arts of the Terrace, he said there really wasn’t much art displayed in and around the city.
“So I thought it was something I could contribute,” Jones said. “I don’t have the money to buy art, so I thought I should use my own paintings so people can enjoy art.” He added, “when you’re inside a building — to be able to see a natural space is more pleasing I think.”
The fact that officials decided to place the piece in the council chambers was gratifying to the artist.
“I was surprised how well it was received, I didn’t expect it to go into the council chambers — just somewhere where it would be seen, maybe a hallway or something,” Jones said. “It’s really wonderful it’s in the council chambers. I hope it doesn’t distract people from their work.”
The piece, which was actually painted in 2003, was first exhibited in a newer Boeing building in Issaquah where Jones had worked. When he left Boeing he took the painting with him and decided it might be a good fit for the city because its of the familiar and local Lake Ballinger.
“I had fun doing it because it was so close to home,” Jones said. “Usually I paint creeks and other areas that are hidden from view.”
Jones said he would like the opportunity someday to paint where Lake Ballinger empties into McAleer Creek as well.
While Jones generally paints landscapes, he said he has also enjoyed painting animals and even doing an animal portrait on occasion. Jones has been painting professionally since the 1970s. Prior to that, in 1964, he said, he taught art classes in the Edmonds School District.
Jones’ work is in numerous private and public collections including at King County and the city of Seattle’s 1 percent for the arts programs. Also his paintings can be seen at the Boise Art Museum, University Hospital and in the main lobby of the science building at Central Washington University.
Jones and his wife Grace Carlson Jones raised their three children in the Mountlake Terrace area, they also have three grand children.
Currently Jones is working on some pieces that will be featured this spring at the Linda Hodges Gallery on First Avenue in downtown Seattle.
City Council woman Laura Sonmore, who is also the council liaison to the Arts Advisory Commission, was more than pleased with the gift.
“The city is lucky to have a piece of Roger’s work donated,” Sonmore said.
Mountlake Terrace City Council meetings are at 7 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month in the council chambers at 23204 58th Avenue W. in Mountlake Terrace.
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