Creative Arts Center’s February Artist of the Month at Bonham State Bank: Jane Dodson
By Inga Posey, Creative Arts Center
Feb 13, 2005
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Bonham -- An exhibiting artist of Bonham’s Creative Arts Center,  Jane Dodson grew up in Odessa, Texas where she met and married Fannin County native, Charlie Dodson.  In 1976 they, along with their daughter and son, moved to Aberdeen, Scotland where Charlie worked on off-shore oil rigs in the North Sea and Jane took her first painting class.  After the first lesson, she was “hooked.” 

In 1976 they moved to Fannin County to their farm in Valley Creek (a suburb of Randolph).  Jane studied several years with the late Jessie Adams in Bonham and has taken classes taught by Pat Pierce of Sherman.  Her oil paintings have won Best of Show at the Fannin County Fair three times.  Jane has painted on wood, leather, metal and even rocks throughout are years as an artist. 

Upon retiring in December of 2003 (after working for over 20 years at the Fannin County Courthouse), Jane enrolled in a ceramic sculpture class taught by Katherine Kluger, at her Valley Creek  studio. 

Husband, Charlie, agreed to purchase a plasma cutter for the couple’s anniversary last year. (He had a hard time convincing the salesman that his wife wanted it too!)  Then, for Mother’s Day, he bought Jane a brand new welding hood and she began her arc welding lessons.  Once again, Jane was “hooked”, and another medium, sculpture, was added to her repertoire in the form of metal art.  Jane’s metal creations are marvelously designed and scaled in size varying from accent to focal point power, and are perfect for indoor or outdoor statements.  (“Buffalo, strong and brave in it’s detail and size, can be found making just such a bold statement, in front of Richard Glaser’s Center Street office building.)   

When asked which medium she enjoys most, Jane replied, “Whatever I’m working on is my favorite.  I guess I’m just ‘hooked on art’.”  

Please visit the lobby of Bonham State Bank and view Jane’s “Prickly Pear” metal sculpture.  This bold and colorful piece is one of many of the artist’s metal sculptures inspired by the cacti and other plants abundant in the Southwest…all of which, Jane will add, do not need any watering at all!  Bonham State Bank’s commitment to the arts in Fannin County has always been consistent and generous, providing both financial support and exposure for area artists.