RAD Studio Stroll
As Asheville’s summertime River Arts District Studio Stroll approaches this weekend, many will take the opportunity to visit Artists’ studios on foot or by trolley.
One of the most illuminating and transformative places to visit during the Studio Stroll is Jonas Gerard Fine Art Studio and Gallery in the heart of the Asheville River Arts District. On Saturday and on Sunday, June 8th and 9th at 2:00pm, visitors will be inspired watching Jonas create his transcendent, light filled, colorful, abstract paintings.
Some consider him to be an Expressionist Painter and Tour de Force Performer, but such labels do not accurately describe him or his work. Jonas is as richly colorful as the abstract paintings he creates.
One of his gifts is his ability to communicate with and move others, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, by transmitting inner light, and creativity, through music, paint and canvas.
When he is finished working, his lyrical, luminous, abstract, paintings radiate light that transcends earthly realism, and… they transport the viewer to another place.
How is this possible?
Some artists look outside and paint what they observe. Jonas looks within.
Instead of drawing upon observations from the external world, Jonas reflects inward, through meditation, and then, he paints, accompanied by exciting music from many cultures.
When he paints, Jonas channels energy and inspiration from music as diverse as his own background…synthesizing rhythmic Brazilian, French, Cuban, Middle-Eastern, African, and American jazz music that seems to come straight from his soul, through the beat of his paintbrush.
He expresses what he’s found, through line, form, color, texture, value…. And whole lot more.
He’s an Intuitive Action Painter, whose work recalls earlier Action Painters and Expressionists from the 1950’ and 1960’s, such as DeKooning, Motherwell, Morris Louis, Helen Frankenthaler, Franz Kline, and others.
Earlier generations of Action Painters experimented with pouring paint, blending and combining vivid colors directly onto canvas, allowing these exciting, spontaneous, events to lead the creative process.
Kandinsky wrote down his theories- about how making art involves communicating through the spiritual aspects of color and light, in a book entitled, Concerning The Spiritual In Art.
Jonas’ Artistic Spirit, and creative process, become evident when you see him in action, listen to his spoken words and music, and observe him painting.
The “Painting Performances” that you’ll be privy to this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm each day, are once in a lifetime spontaneous events that won’t be found elsewhere.
Please visit Jonas’ Studio and Gallery in the River Arts District this weekend.
You’ll witness transformation on canvas like you’ve never seen before…
And, something may shift for you too…Your mindset will be changed and your spirit will be transported through Jonas’ Art.
By Leslie Ehrin
