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In
Jo Gershman's paintings, she creates a sense of discovery in an elegant
world of intricate detail. Her whimsical juxtapositions create a
delicate, asymmetrical balance, and her vibrant colors and complex
textures arise through the use of drybrush and many layers of glazing.
A sense of warmth and an appreciation of nature are apparent in all
her portrayals, which range from apples to zebras.
Jo finds her inspiration
for textures and complex decorative patterns in the designs of William
Morris and William de Morgan, major figures in the Arts and Crafts
Movement of the late 1800s. Other inspirations include the medieval
Books of Hours, with their scenes of daily life, and 15th-century
Dutch manuscripts with their exquisitely detailed botanical studies.
Jo speaks of learning
to value and develop fine craftsmanship in her early years:
As a little
girl in Philadelphia, I used to watch a TV show in which the host
narrated fairy tales, illustrating them as he went. On a huge sheet
of paper, he drew flawlessly, bringing the stories to life. I later
learned he was tracing pre-drawn pictures, but at the time, I thought
it was magical. For years, I thought all drawings and paintings
happened this way, perfect from the first go, so I would discard
my paper the moment I committed an imperfect line. And while I
no longer jettison my sketches because of imperfect lines, my drive
for perfection and sense of wonder still linger.
Jo has studied
art at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, the Royal Botanic Gardens
at Kew and the Seattle Academy of Fine Art. She received her B.A.
in English Literature from Villanova University. She has illustrated
twenty books for Peter Pauper Press and numerous cards for Sunrise
Greetings. She has taught watercolor classes and workshops at the
former Bellevue Art Museum, the Seattle Academy of Fine Art, and
Cascadia and Shoreline Community Colleges, and a children's book
illustration class at Cascadia. Her paintings and illuminated manuscripts
are held in private collections in several countries.
"The aim should be to combine clearness of form and firmness
of structure with the mystery which comes of abundance and richness
of detail…."
William Morris, 1883
| RECENT
GALLERY SHOWS
Baas
Art Gallery April 2006
Exhibition of Trompe-L'Oeil Tile paintings on paper
Northwest
Watercolor Society 2005
Awarded Signature Membership
NWWS
Waterworks Exhibition 2001, 2002, 2004
Northwest Watercolor Society's annual membership juried show
Eastside
Association Of Fine Arts 2002, 2004
Annual juried show
NWWS
Annual Open Exhibition 2003
Northwest Watercolor Society's 63rd Annual Juried Show
Somerset
Studio Magazine 2003
Featured in "The Lively Art of Lettering" section, March/April
Fountainhead
Gallery 2001
"An Uncommon Stillness" - group still life show
Arts
Council of Snohomish County 2001
"Art of the Written Word" · juried show
Frye
Art Museum 2000
Northwest Women Illustrators Exhibit
January 16-February 25
Baas
Art Gallery Seattle, WA
Three person show, watercolor botanical fantasy June 2000
Two person show, watercolor still lifes March 1998
Kinsey
Art Gallery at
Seattle University Seattle, WA
Calligraphy: Words & Pictures two person show
September 1999
RECENT
PUBLISHED WORK
Feiwel
and Friends New
York,
NY
Co-illustration
of children’s early chapter books
(based on Breyer horse models)
| Wind
Dancers: If Wishes Were Horses |
2008 |
| Wind
Dancers: Horse Happy |
2008 |
| Wind
Dancers: The Horse Must Go On |
2008 |
| Wind
Dancers: Horses' night Out |
2008 |
Peter
Pauper Press, Inc. White Plains, NY
Children’s Book, Theater,
and Paper Doll Foldout Play Set
| The
Night Before Christmas |
2008 |
| The
Nutcracker Ballet |
2007 |
Gift
Books, Journal Covers, Greeting Cards
| Christmas
Gift Cards |
2006 |
| Journals |
2006 |
| Christmas
Cards |
2005 |
| Florentine
Journal covers
& notecards |
2005 |
| Friendship
Bracelets |
2004 |
| Book
Club Journal |
2004 |
| The
Merry Little Christmas Tree |
2003 |
| Irish
Legends |
2003 |
| Nature's
Miracles |
2002 |
| A
Simple Christmas |
2001 |
| Blueberries
from Heaven |
2001 |
| First
Aid for the Jewish Soul |
2000 |
| Kabbalah:
The Way of Light |
1999 |
| A
History of Our Family |
1999 |
| Celtic
Sunrise |
1999 |
| Chanukah |
1998 |
| The
Key to Friendship |
1998 |
| The
Key to Love |
1998 |
| A
Cup of Herbal Tea |
1997 |
| The
Gift of a Rose |
1997 |
| The
Key to Happiness |
1997 |
| Noah's
Ark |
1996 |
| Pearls
of Wisdom |
1996 |
| The
Key to Life |
1995 |
InterArt /Sunrise Bloomigton,
IN
greeting card illustration
2000-present
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