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Tribute To Charles Jeffress. Dear Friend and Memorable Artist
May 21, 1920 – October 27, 2014

Dennis and I first saw Mr. Jeffress’s  arwork  as we traveled to Taos, New Mexico in the late 80’s. It began as a trip together to discover New Mexico which became a habit of love. Our first purchase together was a serigraph, Mr. Jeffress created of Yellowstone National Park; “Early Morning on the Oxbow” from Ledoux Gallery on a side street in Taos. The art world in Taos was thriving and we loved the electricity of collecting.

Our love was seriagraphs by Charles Jeffress.

 I decided to leave the corporate world and open an Art Gallery in 1992.  I contacted  Charles and he was elated that I would select him first and agreed to forward artwork to the new “Spirits in the Wind Gallery”. I danced a jig in the middle of the gallery!  He believed in me and thus started the gallery. Twenty One years later, Dennis and I still enjoy the excitement of being surrounded by beautiful art and meeting talented artists. We love the sparkle in peoples eyes as they gaze at their favorite pieces.

Thank you Charles for your faith in Dennis and I and your many years of friendship! Love you!

 

Charles Jeffress, Printmaker
Despite his mastery of the silk-screen process, Jeffress was a relatively new artist. Printmaking was his fourth career. At 16 he was a licensed pilot, and he later volunteered for duty in World War II, flying in Africa, India, Burma and China. He was a lieutenant colonel when he retired form the Air Force Reserve in 1980 after 40 years of service. After his active duty, he spent 20 years as personnel director and pilot for Roy Martin Lumber Company in Rapides Parish.

At 51, he decided to switch directions, supported by his wife, Jane, he went back to school. He finished an undergraduate art curriculum at Louisiana College, Pineville. Two graduate degrees from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacadoches, Tx later specializing in printmaking and renewing his interest in the Western art and Indian history. Luck stayed with him, and he was invited to join the art faculty at Louisiana College where he taught for additional 11 years.  Charles opened his own gallery in Alexandria, LA in 1983.