Gerald Schwartz

Gerald Schwartz was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1940. When he was eight years old his family moved West to California. At sixteen, his father took him to an art store and there on the wall was a Salvador Dali print. Gerald, having never seen anything like this, turned to his father and said, "I want to be an artist and paint!" It was at this point in time that Gerald began his journey as an artist that has lasted forty-five years.

After six years of Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, California, Gerald landed a position as assistant Art Director for a fashion magazine based in L.A. There, he became involved in designing a book "Choreography on Ice" – the cover art, in addition to doing the illustrations and photography. In 1984 it was presented at the Winter Olympics.

Throughout this time Gerald stayed engaged with his fine art, working in inks, pastels, watercolors and acrylics, but always returning to his medium of choice, oils. For him this was like painting with magic.

At the age of forty-five Gerald decided to forgo all other things in his life as he delved into the world of fine art as a "photo realist". He worked exclusively in oils, always perfecting his skills. Then, Gerald began painting the clouds and skies with its color saturated lands below and a new series was set in motion.

Gerald teaches art privately and is very involved in local art organizations.