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Richard Jerzy
Richard Jerzy Watercolor "Red Chair" Interior with Flowers & Chair

1980 - 1995

About the Item

"Red Chair," though an interior scene, is arranged like a still-life with the furniture and objects slightly off-kilter in the creative manner of Marc Chagall's interiors, the Russian-French artist of Belarusian Jewish origin. These non-fixed objects lend a floating energetic atmosphere and the brilliant colors contribute to the liveliness of this warm inviting interior. Richard Jerzy was a well-known watercolor artist from the Detroit, Michigan area. His signature works were figures and still lives, and many famous Michigan families are collectors. "He was probably the most promising, successful, exciting artist in the state of Michigan," said Miriam Parel, a fellow artist and friend for more than 30 years. He grew up on Detroit's east side and developed an interest in painting as a teenager. He attended Detroit's Center (now College) for Creative Studies. Other well- known CCS faculty and graduates are Susan Aaron-Taylor, Harry Bertoia, Doug Chaing, Stephen Dinehart, Tyree Guyton, Renee Radell, and Kevin Siembieda. The fine arts institution later hired him as a painting professor, a position he held for about 30 years.
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