Rocky Neck Art Colony

Gerry O’Leary

12 Forest Street
Manchester, Ma. 01944
978-526-1692
search:  gerryolearyart
thegerryshow@yahoo.com

 

I am compelled to communicate through the medium of oil paint, all the beauty and spirit of the dog running on the salt marshes, watching the kids get muddy in the back yard, enjoying a beer with a new friend and the knowledge of a senior’s wisdom.

My motivations to paint, enjoy art, and find others, who are compelled to create, stem from the satisfaction I received one day when I was 19.  Unable to explain to my father my love for blues music in words, he responded clearly and without doubt to my visual demonstration of the contorted, orgasmic faces in mid-screeching guitar riff that I had created on canvas.   I am driven to support and foster this ability to communicate so effectively and efficiently in my life and encourage others to do the same.

Although I am met daily with inspiration to paint the beauty and light of Cape Ann as I see it, I am currently interested in the broad and common need for self-medication in the world and culture as a whole.  Although man’s desire to alter his state of mind is not a new phenomenon, alcohol, caffeine, cannabis and now the vast saturation of addictive prescription drugs and opiates available to the population demonstrates this habitual humanistic ritual with little prejudice to status or demographics.  To establish this dialogue my compositions may be as apparent as a bar room interior, while others could be more open to interpretation; such as a still life of contrasts, instruments of a trade entwined with medicinal paraphernalia.

Gerry O'Leary
Al's Cafe, Manchester
24" x 18"

Gerry O'Leary

Saturday, waiting for the regulars
18" x 24"