NORWICH – How would you like to win a painting valued at $1,350 from nationally-renowned abstract expressionist painter Jonas Gerard for less than the cost of lunch?
Well, here’s your opportunity. A raffle is being held at this year’s Colorscape for “Lavendrous,” a 30x30 framed painting of explosive color and context that fans and critics have come to expect from the well respected and admired artist.
Wrote William Zimmer in The New York Times, “Jonas Gerard’s work is filtered through his Mediterranean sensibility. Who’s afraid of color? Certainly not Gerard, whose paintings evoke the sunset, the ocean and the meandering of tropical vines. The grace and cosmopolitan ease of Gerard’s art lies in his witty linking together of disparate elements.”
Gerard donated “Lavendrous” to Colorscape as a conciliatory gesture for having to cancel his scheduled appearance, sponsored by Golden Artist Colors, at this year’s event.
“Of course, we would have preferred Jonas appearing in-person,” said Colorscape Executive Director Finnegan. “But we understand sometimes there are circumstances out of everybody’s control. His gracious donation of ‘Lavendrous’ was completely unexpected and very much appreciated.”
“Lavendrous” will be on display in the Art Market during Colorscape on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13. Tickets are $5 each, or five for $20 or 15 for $50.
“This is a great opportunity for art enthusiasts and collectors to buy a painting from a nationally-renowned painter that could possibly only go up in value as time goes by,” said Finnegan.
Gerard’s work has been exhibited all over the United States and abroad, and is in numerous collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, World Bank, Siemens Energy, Worldwide Nissan, Price Waterhouse, and Sassoon Fashions, among others.
“For me, freedom of expression creates happiness which is in the pulse of every brush stroke. The freedom to express produces inner sensations that allow my spirit to take risks. I create happy accidents that open the non-judgmental space for letting the painting go where it wants to go. The whole concept is to allow energy to direct you,” Gerard said.
Gerard was born in Casablanca, Morrocco in 1941, of French and Brazilian ancestry. He is basically self-taught. His medium is acrylics on canvas, mixed-media and found objects collage.
Colorscape is a free outdoor festival held in downtown Norwich on Sept. 12 and 13, with over 90 juried artists and crafters selling their wares in an interactive atmosphere that features artist demonstrations, literary and arts activities for all ages, student art exhibits, a competitive poetry slam and the finest in creative food, all accompanied by the rolling rhythms of professional musicians from across the U.S., Canada and Europe.
This project/program is made possible in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts.