Peggy Jones is an artist inspired by color
When the need arises to reinvent one's self, it's helpful to have an avenue in place to take you there. Peggy Jones is one of those fortunate ones.
Jones spent 30 years doing the hair of Florida's governors, their wives, and everyone on down in Tallahassee at her downtown salon, The Parlor.
She retired to the beach in 2006 and began a new life as a working artist. Jones and hubby, interior designer Gary Cooper, opened Gallery 226 on the west end of Panama City Beach as a showcase for her artwork and as a showroom for his interior design work.
As many artists have in the throws of the recession, Jones has turned back to her roots as a hairdresser. For Jones, however, she views the two vocations as compatible instead of mutually exclusive and enjoys both worlds.
She opened Peggy's Hair Salon in January at her Seagrove Beach home. Only this time, Jones is working alone instead of with a staff of 16 - 20 employees. Working alone allows her the flexibility to continue to paint. Her artwork graces the walls of every room in her salon.
The salon is on the first floor of her residence and she and "Coop" live on the second floor.
Jones calls the refocusing "a family affair."
"My nephew came and stayed with us for a month and helped remodel the downstairs to get it ready. My mother-in-law lives across the street and bakes bread, which she brings over to give to my clients, if you're lucky enough to be here on a day she is baking," she said.
In addition, Jones' brother-in-law, Bob Cohn, with Pharmco Labs in Titusville, has created a specialty line of hair and skin care products she sells in her shop under her "Peggy's Hair Salon" line.
"They use botanicals, formulated and customized for specific skin types and they have a great anti-aging line. So, he created his own line of anti-aging for the hair and specific hair types," she said.
Jones feels that using the best products goes hand in hand with creating the best styles for a client's look.
"I don't believe people should have cookie-cutter hair cuts. A style should go with their face and shape and be something individual for them," said Jones.
"I am blessed to be able to do two things that I love, work with a man I love and live here," she said. "My two jobs go hand in hand. I am inspired by color and my clients are my canvas."
Peggy's Hair Salon is located at 74 N. Lake Drive in Seagrove Beach. She is open by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Phone (850) 933-1333.
Jones' artwork is exhibited at her salon, at Sugar Beach Interiors in Destin, World Six Gallery in Rosemary Beach, and at Coastal Branch Library in August.
