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"Hello, My name is Chelsea and I'm a
student at York University. I'm currently doing a research paper and am looking
for art that relates to my topic. In my search I came across your painting,
Regeneration, on the "theARTproject: artists respond to terrorism website"
(http://www.theartproject.net/pages/33eg_regeneration.htm)
This blurb followed a photo of your painting:
In the wake of the terrorist attack in the USA on 11 September 2001, I want
to pay tribute to all the people who lost their lives or suffered injuries in
New York and Washington.
I also want to express my sympathy for all people anywhere in the world, who
have suffered as a result of terrorism and war, racial, religious or political
persecution.
I dream of a world without hatred, discrimination and violence. A world where
people are tolerant, peaceful and love each other.
I have been trying to look for more information
on this specific painting and what it symbolizes, I even went to your own
website, but I haven't found enough information in order to use it as part of my
research paper. I know you are probably very busy, but I would love to
incorporate your piece into my paper. Otherwise I may just have to use
Picasso's "Guernica" instead, I love Picasso, but he is a bit over-used and I
very much like your paintings.
Thank you for your time. -- Chelsea, Canada
This is the reply I sent Chelsea:
Dear Chelsea,
thank you for your inquiry and having chosen my
painting for your attention and possible inclusion in your paper.
You have already read my artist's statements on
both webs you mentioned, so this should be a good start for you. Any further
explanation or background stuff from me on this artwork would only increase the
"passive" input into your thinking half of your brain.
You would be better off exploring your "active"
processes, ie your own subjective intuitive reactions, your the particular
feelings rising in your being, if any. I believe all artistic creations should
be approached by simply as something you like or not like, just as you would
react to a musical piece. Do you enjoy it or not? Often too many words, even the
artist's own "explanation" gets in the way of relating to the artwork on a
personal level.
So it would be much better for you to look at
your reaction to the piece, ie is it evocative of something, does it raise your
spirit, does it convey any sort of feeling and such like.
Words usually get in the way when you are
assessing an artistic creation (either visual or musical) which has been created
exactly because the artist wanted to express something which could not be
expressed with words.
The most important question is: do you get
enthralled by a Mozart sonata or the words written about it, and do you get
moved by Picasso's Guernica or the piles of books written about it?
In my humble opinion, you should look at all
artworks "close and personal", accept your gut reaction and do not worry about
other people's opinions and judgements but only your own.
I hope my reply helps you to progress your paper.
Also I would like to know a bit more about you and would really appreciate if
you sent me a copy of your finished paper.
All the best, -- Ernie Gerzabek
"Thanks, Ernie, for your kind words on my blog.
I was stunned by your mandalas - quite a new direction! I particularly
like no 732. They have a fresh new look, not derivative at all, which is
no small achievement.
Keep up the good work. -- Astrid Fitzgerald, New York
"Ernie, your mandala paintings are absolutely
fabulous. And it seems you've discovered a new way of expressing yourself, that
fits your character. At first sight, they mainly impressed me with their
incredible complexity and their artisan perfection. How in the world can you
possibly design these complex patterns and how can you execute them so neatly.
I can follow your thoughts about a work of art
having duality, as you say, "they are simple yet complex, universal yet
specific, man-made geometric, yet organic, self-contained yet reaching
out, traditional yet contemporary, kind of ying and yang."
Congratulations, Ernie, I love this work, and I hope people will be able to take
the time to internalize these images, wonderful. -- Karl Maenz,
Geneva, Switzerland
"Dear Ernie Gerzabek, My name is
Camilla Warburton and i am a student from England, my current art project is on
the title "landscapes" and i have been looking at your work. Two of my favourite
pieces of your work include "724 My desert garden" and "616 Scorched (Red
Desert)". Although they are not a perfect representation of a desert, you
clearly manage to create the landscape though the use of colours and shapes. I
would like to know, what artists influenced you to produce these desert pieces?
and when your creating a work of art, do you consider the colours, shapes,
surface and scale before you start to produce your art, or do you use what
materials you feel appropriate at that specific time? i look forward to
your reply -- Camilla Warburton, England
My reply is this:
Many of my desert paintings have been influenced
by Australian indigenous aboriginal artists. They manage to capture the essence
of these environments, using simple visual elements to make reference to not
only what can be seen there, but also the spirit of the local countryside.
I often have a similar approach when inspired by
the landscape, whether ocean, rainforest or the bush. Please refer to my many
articles and mini-essays on my web which give some insight to my art practice.
Pre-planning my paintings is minimal, usually it
just flows from some subconscious space, often just intuitively and 'uncensored'
by my own critical judgement, certainly during the creative flow. I may only
pass judgement at the end of the process and I either modify the result, or
start again.
Anyhow, it was nice to receive your inquiry and
thank you for the compliments re my artworks. Ernie G
"I think of you often as we enjoy your paintings.
They are beautiful and we are so happy to have them. -- Tammara Holmes
USA
"Hi Ernie, We just wanted to thank you for your
hospitality when checking out your artworks in your studio. Your advice in
selecting paintings was most educational and also extremely useful. As it
turned out all of your three large paintings transformed our living areas and
the two smaller ones brightened up the children's playroom. We already
started to put aside money for our next purchase from you, but we cannot rush
these things just because we are enthusiastic. Looking forward to visiting you
again. -- Evelyn and Lachlan B. Potts Point
"Your paintings arrived unmarked and it was a
revelation how much better they look 'in the flesh' as compared to the images on
your website. We are most happy with the 3 paintings we purchased, also
would like to compliment you on your professional approach and organising the
speedy delivery. Do not be surprised if we come back for more next year.
Thanks for everything. -- Brittney and Kevin Power, California
"Hi, How are you Ernie? I
am a big fan of your work, I think they are just magical. I love the colours,
patterns, and composition. I love it all! I was just wondering how
come you don't have dates for any of your images? Thanks for taking the time
to reply and i am looking forward to hearing your answer. -- Sara
My reply was: 'I do not date
my paintings, even though I sometimes wished I did. I probably do not want my
artwork to be pigeonholed into date boxes and be frozen in time. I am
hoping my creations are timeless. I just don't know how a date would make a
difference to the independent life of my artwork - other than aiding a
post-mortem exercise or helping historians in digging up a grave. My work meant
to be alive, not dead! Right?' -- EG
Távol a Hazától...
Lelkem vidám színekben tombol.
Magam előtt látom rétet s mezőt,
Magas hegyeket, a dúsan zöldellő erdőt
Gyermekkorom kedvenc játékát
A gyermekláncfű szerteszálló magvát.
Még érzem a Tisza oly fönséges illatát
A Duna lágy simogatását.
Távolban látom a Puszta hogyan párolog
Az oly sokat emlegetett Délibábot.
...s mert el kellett hagyjam Hazámat
Nem feledem Magyarságomat!
Eme színekben fejezem ki hovatartozásomat!
( a poem in Hungarian) -- Johannes, Hungarian poet of distinction
"Hi, I am a 40 yrs old emerging artist from India. I came
across your site while searching for 'painting ideas' at Google Image search.
Wow! what an experienced painter you are. I love the bright colours in
your paintings. They give life to life. I also read your tips for
emerging painters. They are very useful to me. Thanks. -- Kamal
Bhandari, India
"I have just browsed through your
gallery website www.ernie-gerzabek.com. It is wonderful to see one's passion for
life through art expression. I think we have very similar attitude and
philosophical view points.
"I have very little experience in painting and still trying out different styles
and media. It is more often a child's play than anything serious. I live
in Sydney, Cremorne. I would like to do an art course or follow a teacher.
Do you have any good suggestions? I think I would like to try "Abstract"
style of expression just like the way you have done. Do you take any
student? Thanks. -- Emily F. Cremorne
"I am a year 12 student from
Melbourne, and I am currently doing studio arts and was researching artists when
I came across your work. I was instantly captivated by it and I am truly
inspired by it. I particularly love your use of colour and the way use
can capture a scene or a moment by simply combining certain colours.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would be able to answer a few questions
about yourself and your works so that I can better understand the process of
creating art. Firstly, what are some of the ideas and meanings expressed
in your artworks? What were some of the early influences in your life and
what were some of the later ones? And also, did you use technology at all
when creating your artworks? How would you describe the style of your artwork?
Lastly, what are some of the working methods or techniques which you use?
Thank you very much for your time and I look forwards to your response. --
Jacqui, Melbourne, Australia
"I was just surfing the net
for some inspiring art and I came across your site, and I love your work. Its
exactly what I was looking for.
I'm a 21 year old artist living on the central coast in NSW, I run my own graphic
design business, but I studied fine art drawing at uni. I was wondering if it
wasn’t to much trouble if you could spend a couple of minutes and give me some
advice on how to become a productive artist to the outside world with fine art?
What were the steps you took to get you where you are? Do you have any advice
for a young artist not quite sure how to create a public art life? -- Chris
Dewar
"Hi Ernie -
I found your site whilst trawling the images search engine on Google for
abstract acrylic art in Australia - I just couldn't believe so many
fabulous pieces all in one place all by the one person. You give me great
inspiration. I am very new to painting - well I enjoyed it at school but
life got in the way after that. Now I've hit my 40s and suddenly this year
I have become addicted - have run out of room to put my paintings but I want to
do larger and larger ones - and I can't sell them as I am far too attached (not
that anyone wants to buy them anyway).
Since seeing your art - well it
gave me heart that the kind of things I paint are worthwhile and then I went to
the local library and borrowed out books on Kandinsky and Klee and felt even
better, not that I paint anywhere anything like them.
I will spend some time tomorrow
looking at your paintings again - I want to take time to drink them all in they
are so brilliant. The colours particularly speak to me - I am a colours person
- and I like your attitude and outlook on life as expressed in your web site. --
Adrienne, Queensland
"I find your work wonderful, your
usage of colours is very eye catching which I find I am very drawn too. Your web
site is also fantastic!" -- Christina Bleasdale, Sydney
" I am currently renovating a house in Hong Kong. As the house
will be white on white, I have been looking for an artist who can bring
life and colour into the house and I believe I have finally found what I have
been looking for, YOU. I am keen on the larger paintings but am always
open to suggestions. Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you."
--
Merrian Howe Hong Kong
"I really enjoyed talking with
you the other day, thank you for sharing your views on art and artmaking.
As I'm just 'starting out' its great to hear from artists who are more
established (and prolific!). It was also good in that it gave me a better
understanding of you and your work.
"I checked out your website -
beautiful works. - and so many of them! Also I printed out your 'advice to
budding artists' which I'll delve into more deeply as soon as possible.
"I love the way you present your
works also (SO organised for an artist!). I think its easy for an artist
to think they are there to just create the art, not realising that the works
don't just sell themselves!" -- Vivianne, Sydney
"You really do capture the Australian
landscape and I can see how the paintings must come completely to life (as the
colours seem to be so vibrant) when viewed 'up close and personal'. I love the
geometry in your works in Gallery 1. I presume it is influenced by your
architectural background. Looking forward to seeing more. -- Jenny Steiner,
Kew, Victoria
"I received
your 3 paintings and absolutely thrilled. Thank you, Thank you! Your
talent will bring joy into my life everyday for many years to come.
I'm so happy I found you on-line ... the internet is truly a wonderful thing :)
-- Christi G, Florida
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"I found
your magnificent gift a creative inspiration. Art can be a mystical
viewpoint that enables us contact with the higher self. Your work has a
beauty and mystery to it that gives one spiritual comfort. Each piece
breathes new life and pierces the soul.
You have a distinct flavour and a transformative message. Your self
cultivation in your paintings is a testament to your evolution of spirit.
Your creative vision is a healing song and all are blessed who share in it.
Bravo my friend. Bravo! -- Michael Teal, artist, USA
"Your
name and website were passed along to me by a friend and client of mine.
They thought I would be interested in looking at your art. Well, I am
very happy to see it. I will have to ask my friends how they stumbled upon
you. I love your colour and rhythm in your art. Very appealing.
Your titles are fun. No wonder my friends wanted me to see your art as there
seem to be some similarities between our art. For me, it is sort of
like finding an in-sync art-pal. What a treat.
I mostly feel
quite alone, but totally in the right place doing my art...which I have only
really been creating for two years. New things come out each time I wield a
paint brush or fling paint (much to my husband's chagrin), lots and lots
more to discover. So glad I finally started. Best regards,
Cindy Frostad, Vancouver
"All I can say is
these paintings for Jeans for Genes are BRILLIANT! You've done it again
..... hope they raise thousands of dollars ...... -- Erika Bockos,
Sydney, Australia
"Dear Ernie, I
like your latest paintings which are again full of color and positive vibes,
and thanks for your caring way by contributing in the Jeans for Genes
fundraising auction. It's good to see a wonderful artist who also
cares for others.
Your friend, Karl, Switzerland
"The paintings
we bought look wonderful and they bring me so much joy!!! -- Jeannie,
Sydney
"I recently
received Artists Palette No.29 and was so taken with the photos of your
paintings that I visited your website. Thank you for sharing your art with
us, I have enjoyed your site so very much, I love your use of colour, you
have inspired me to keep on trying. Ernie, I found your work to be most
original. -- Isabel, Melbourne, Australia
"Ernie,
your beautiful work gives us tranquillity and peace and also captures a
vibrancy that is so in tune with nature and her ever-changing moods.
You are capable of lifting a person's spirit and making one realise what a
beautiful place we all share. -- Lesley Byrne, Dublin, Ireland
I have visited your website, and
was so interested to see your work - the colours and vibrancy of the
paintings are just gorgeous, even though I don't think digital images can
really do them justice. -- Sarah Cranshaw, Sydney
"Congratulations
Ernie - you have the most beautiful art site I have seen. I have spent
hours looking and will probably continue to do so. Your sense of colour and
rhythm is simply beautiful, and your texts are appropriate. And my wife and
I love what appears to be your philosophy, positive and inspiring.
I paint from time to time as a hobby, especially since I retired and have
more time (see my site), and I just joined Abstract Painting WebRing and Art
web community. Our thoughts about life and what we paint are probably
similar, but man you've got the talent and the experience and have made it
work successfully, and you seem to have fun doing it. Well, you've
just inspired me, good-bye, need to paint... --- Karl Maenz, Switzerland
"I just received
your remarkable painting. You were right. The web site does not do justice
to your work. I cannot stop staring at it and remembering a few places I
have visited in Canada, Austria, Germany and Northern Italy during the last
15 years. I am very pleased with the latest addition to my collection. I
hope you are inspired and motivated to continue your efforts. --- Charles Sterbach, Arizona
"Viewed
your work online - just wanted to compliment you, both conceptually and in
execution you have an enviable talent, these are magnificent works.
Your whimsical blending of abstractions and nature, I found particularly
inventive and refreshing - re: Water, abstract paintings.
Also liked those poetic descriptions. --- KC Wilder, San
Francisco
"We are enjoying
your painting very much. We were very pleased to meet you and wish you
well with your work. I'm sure we will meet up again soon.
Regards, John and Rhonnie White, Sydney
" I wanted to
let you know that the paintings were delivered last week on Thursday. Much quicker delivery
than I expected, and what a great job of packing them!! They're simply
wonderful. Even better than they look in the pictures. Purple Afternoon 2
looks great in my living room, and the others will look great in various
other rooms.
I want to thank you for the CD too. You've got tons of great
stuff. Considering how pleased I am with the selections I've already
received, I will definitely be ordering again soon. Thanks so much!!
--- Helen Cahill, Arizona
"Dear Ernie, it
was wonderful to see your web page and the variety of your work. I look
forward to seeing more soon. The colours of your paintings inspire me !"
--- Tracey Allen, Photographer and Artist, Sydney
"When I was 4 years old, I spent 3 days a week at pre-school finger
painting. Not by my own choice, but because a tough little girl called
Greta kicked me out of the doll's corner. Since then, I have tried and
tried on and off all my life to paint convinced I could do it. Alas, to
no avail.
Last month, I picked up an art magazine in a shop and there it was! The
inspiration I've been waiting 33 years for. Ernie Gerzabek. Seeing the
small sample of your artistic talent, feeling the communicative
expressions your painting speak, I got connected instantly. Your
work threw a switch in me I can't explain.
Ernie, wherever my painting takes me - from here onward - you'll be there
with me. Thank you Greta ... but most of all .. thank you Ernie. I can
only hope I will make you proud of your accidental creation. Me!
Warmest regards, --- Linda Duggan, Sydney
"Your work is
beautiful and imaginative. I did not realize I was smiling as I went
through your paintings." --- Nita Taefi, North Carolina
"We received your
painting Snake Road last week and we have been soaking up its warmth here
in our beginnings of winter. It's interesting how this low-key painting can
pull you strongly into its rhythms and make you feel you're standing in the
desert
landscape.
It reminds me of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico which are such spiritual
places where I feel the pull of the earth and rocks. I wish I had thought
of showing you our photos of these areas while you were here. Especially
the Native American pueblos and ruins and some of the parks where the rock
formations are so elemental and moving. It's a place full of spiritual
energy that we love and benefit from even when no longer there. Your
paintings express this energy without actually showing the desert scenes.
To me this is the purpose of abstraction - capturing the spiritual energy
directly and therefore more clearly and strongly than realism can." ---
Ted Knerr, New York
"You definitely
have a good sense of colour and composition. Your SHIFTS are very Mark
Rothko -- only less gritty, and that's a nice quality. They seem almost
like digital images. I think I'd like to see detail-shots of Opalesque and
Written in the Leaves. They look really good but I wish the images were
bigger so I could really drink in the detail. Its not too common to find
real talent on the net. Keep up the good work." --- Sean Ibanez, San Antonio, Texas USA
"I visited your
site- beautiful work!! I really enjoyed the article about you - joyous was
indeed the feeling your paintings brought to mind when I saw them. It's
great to see artwork that is HAPPY! I think you are absolutely right about
kid's art- I love to see what children do- it's almost always beautiful!!
Keep painting like this- the world needs more artists who love art - there
are already plenty who suffer for it!!! :)" --- Jeannie Pellerin
"I Saw your
paintings in Artist's Palette # 16 and was really astounded by your
unique and beautiful work. Also the text was wonderful and refreshing to
read, you make me want to try new things with paint. Inspiring!" --- Tom
Short Inuvik NWT Canada
"On a cold and
dreary winter morning here, it was an absolute delight to drink in these
vibrant images. What a feast! I am getting the most impressive sense of
Australia recently through the eloquence of its artists, and I am in
love! I'll be returning to this site frequently when the spirit and soul
are in need of an uplift. As an artist attempting to move from
representational work into the realm of abstraction, it will represent a
level of excellence to be sought, and an encouragement to always search
for the clarity of an inner voice. Thank you!" --- Karen McConnell,
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
"Your work is
really impressive Ernie, very serene and uplifting. There is a spirituality
to it that I find quite moving. It was also interesting to me to note the
differences in our approaches even though we are obviously inspired by the
same landscape. Congratulations." --- Jack Meredith Brooke, Artist
"I just wanted to
drop a line to thank you (and Mituri Sharma) for the terrific article and
demonstration in the latest edition of Artist's Palette.
Your work is thrilling and inspirational and has given me the impetus to
keep working and break down some of my narrow approaches to painting! And
the demonstration was a terrific blend of instruction and encouragement.
Please let me know if you have a printed catalogue of more of your work or
whether I can see more of it on the web. Thank you again for sharing your
remarkable talents with us all." --- Jane Hawkes, Toronto
"Very nice site
and great pictures. We come back later. Best greetings and good luck from
Germany" --- James und Clia Webb
"I have received
the paintings and I absolutely adore them. They look even
more amazing than the images on the website. I have taken them to get
framed, and expect to have them hanging on my wall at home by this Friday.
Thank you again for your wonderful paintings. I just can't wait to get them
back from the framer so I can sit back and enjoy them as they hang in my
living room!" --- Tracey McCulloch, London
"I took a
brief look at your work and like in particular your "Homage to
Australian indigenous artistry" and no. 114 Improvised Jazz. What
strikes me most is the lightness, playfulness...yes, your works make me
feel happy...the way Klee's works make me happy. I've seen a few shows of
Aboriginal art in N.Y. City and have enjoyed the spontaneity, freshness
and deep reverence for life and nature. I see that in your work also." ---
Astrid Fitzgerald Artist, New York
"I received
the painting today, and it is already hanging in my office to
rave reviews from everyone. I am circulating your card and website address
to all who inquire. Needless to say, I am thrilled. 'Solitude Bay' looks
better 'in person' than on the website. Thank you again." --- Charles Sterbach, Arizona
"I thank
you for getting me on to this site. I have used quite a few of your
paintings for sending cards, because I find them representative of
Australia with a very personal view, a very subjective view that I seem to
identify with to a certain extent. The titles are thought provoking and
evocative and very subjective. The painting I have selected recently has
an evocative title for me, very subjective... 'Lake Adorned', the lake for
me being, Lake Balaton in Hungary, my birth place." --- Eva Kadar,
Sydney
"Boy, your
stuff really jumps out and grabs you with its potent colours. Nice
Indigenous influence and clearly a deep connection with the Australian
landscape plus an overriding strong compositional vitality. I'm
impressed.
"I
am no deep expert on visual art though, so there is no real symmetry with
your obvious keen and informed connection with music. But my wife Jewel is
an artist and did many of my CD covers - she really liked your work."
--- Mark Isaacs, Classical and Jazz Composer and Pianist, Sydney
"Ernest, I
have seen your paintings on your new website and admire your growth in
versatility. As I mentioned earlier, you have that gift of bringing out
substantial solid material one can get one's teeth into, but in your
recent paintings I have also noticed your capacity for soft and sensitive
tones and themes. Whatever style you use, you retain that remarkable
ability to inject living colour into your work. I continue to wish you
well in the expression of your gift. Shalom!"
--- Rev Christopher N Ridings, Sydney
"I have
found your web site in the links of some gallery, in California, I
believe. About your work, I like a lot. What I find very interesting is
the fact that you transform the natural images in poetic abstract
pictorial texts .. I feel in this process the European
cultural roots are working in your unconscious...Ciao" --- Attilio Taverna, Italy
"I like
your improved web pages, they load much faster now. The guestbook is most
interesting to read, amazing responses from so many different people. The
enlargements with the artist's statement is quite an inspired idea!
Well done Ernie." --- Steve, Sydney
"I am
in awe of the constrained freedom within your work. You make it look
as though it is simple for you, although I certainly suspect that is not
the case (I actually hope it is!). Absolutely beautiful work."
........ "I received the shipment you sent me. I must tell you
that I don't like the paintings --- I love them! :-
they are every bit as spectacular as they appeared on the website and look
wonderful on my walls. Improvised Jazz
is in the entryway, and Seemingly Random in the living room. I have
received wonderful compliments from the friends I have had over thus far,
and I plan to do some holiday entertaining, which will expose your work to more of my
friends and acquaintances. Again, thank you for sharing your talents
with me and the other inhabitants of this orb.
--- Mark form Ohio,
USA
"I visited
your homepage and I am very impressed by your paintings! It seems
to me that you really love nature. Having received Grasslands
3 we like especially the colours and their great harmony.
So it is a painting making one peaceful and balanced.
--- Martin Gerzabek
(no relation), Austria
"I looked up
your website and the many paintings you have there in electronic
display. After seeing them I think I have a somewhat better idea of
where
you are coming from with your work, something you explained a little bit
with
regard to that one painting at the cafe. Rich in its colours and
varied in
its form language, your painting seems to express something which is at the
same time both entirely yours and still something I think many people can
relate to; something quite universal.
"When you have your next exhibition, please send me an invitation and I will
join the scrum!" --- Kalevi, Sydney
"Ernie, your new
work is beautiful."
--- Bruce Langner, Sydney
"Your vibrant
colours are what draw my eyes to your fabulous work. I love the new
direction that you are heading in. Can't wait to catch up with you at your
next show. -- Eva Tillott, Sydney
"We are the proud
owners of two of your paintings and would purchase many more if we had the
wall-space available! Your artwork is now a part of our home and will give
us great pleasure for many years to come. Thank you. --- Nicola and Geoff C,
Avalon
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