Jo loved her art and she worked very hard at it. She had two fully equipped studios, one at her home in Mobile, Alabama, the other in Loveland Colorado.
When she was working at home she was occupied mostly with the creation of the clay model. When in Loveland she spent her time working with the various artisans who all played a part in transforming her clay models into beautiful bronze castings. Art Castings of Colorado is the foundry where all her pieces were cast. If you visit their website you can learn how bronze sculptures are made. It is a fascinating process.
Here is Jo in her Mobile studio, working on a commission bust. While sculpting, Jo liked to listen to classical music. She got so wrapped up in what she was doing that she frequently forgot to stop for meals.
Jo never missed an opportunity to study and admire the work of her fellow artists. During a visit to Washington D.C. she made a special point to see the Viet Nam Memorial Park where she gazed for a long while the Three Soldiers sculpture by Frederick Hart.
In the same Viet Nam Memorial Park there is also a Women’s Memorial, dedicated to the women who served in the Viet Nam conflict, most of them as nurses. This sculpture depicts three nurses with a wounded soldier. Jo was particularly interested in this piece because the artist is Glenna Goodacre, one of Jo’s teachers, as well as a dear friend.
Jo dearly loved her home city of Mobile, Alabama. One of her favorite times of the year was Mardi Gras, which Mobile celebrates in grand style. Here is Jo with her friend, Patrice Baur, ready to attend one of the Mardi Gras luncheons. This was always an elegant affair, where all the ladies wore beautiful hats.
Christmas was special for Jo, and she always made great efforts to decorate their home to reflect the season. The holidays also included lots of parties. If Charles Jr. and wife Trudy would visit at Christmas, they often got to tag along to some of these events, such as this holiday party hosted by good friends Patrice and Bro Baur.
Jo with ‘Flora’ at Darby residence in Longview, Texas
Friend Patrice Baur and Jo enjoy Happy Hour in Jo’s garden
Jo at her home in Mobile, ready for holiday festivities.
With husband Charles Hess, Sr.
Jo liked to read and relax in the sun room of her home in Mobile. It offered her a view of Camille outside, and also April positioned near the indoor pond.
‘Flora’ lives in Jo’s garden, just outside her sculpture studio in Mobile
One of Jo’s early pieces, First Plié, has a special place in the back yard of Jo’s home in Mobile
Jo and Charlie — all dressed up and ready for a special evening
Jo and Charlie were a popular couple in Mobile. They were invited to many parties and special events.
They were both charming and elegant, and enjoyed themselves wherever they went.