Like a patchwork quilt, each story and each connection in
Jerry’s life is a patch, a snapshot in time, of his life journey of
self-discovery, deep within and beyond the surface level of appearances, which
normally reveal only a reflection of what the eye can see. No longer satisfied
with this surface level of identity, Jerry decided to embrace what he refers to
as “the mystery” of life, the essence of life, beyond illusion. He needed to let
go of all forms of identity; this included what he and others identified him
as—an artist, a reflection of his passion.
Along the way, he met some incredible people, with whom each
had a story to tell. Jerry unconditionally accepted them, regardless of what
difficulties they were going through at the time. With that often quiet
stillness and presence that he allowed, uncontaminated by the mind, he was able
to be in that space openly and freely, which allowed others to share in that
space openly and freely, without fear of judgment or ridicule. The usual
illusory walls of separation found in most human connections crumbled and
disappeared into thin air when the people he met and encountered for the first
time felt that unconditional presence and love.
In being there for them, he was also able to be there for
himself, unconditionally. Regardless of what difficulties arose for him along
the way, he found that each one worked itself out. The mystery and his
intuition carried him forward. Regardless of which direction it took him, he went
with the flow of life, with complete acceptance of every experience, every
moment, and every outcome.
He awakened to the true essence of life, which has no
identity, no labels, just pure awareness. Free from attachments, now he is able
to create art, unconditionally, without expectations, without judgment, without
attachments to it or to the outcome. He is now able to go beyond appearances
and dive deep into the unknown, into the mystery of life, which is now
reflected in his artwork.
-Pamela J. Wells, Freelance Writer, www.selflessbeing.com
Book Available on Amazon: The Inspired Heart: An Artist's Journey of Transformation
Jerry's Website: In the Hands of Alchemy
Jerry Wennstrom Pacifica Graduate Institute Lecture
In this video Jerry shares
his unusual personal story, insights and photographs of the large body of art
that he created throughout his lifetime. It is an intimate and in-depth guided
tour of the creative journey and psychological process of an artist. Jerry
articulates his quest, not just for creative inspiration but also for that
"quantum leap" that sets one on the path of an inspired life.
Paradoxically most of the paintings shown here were destroyed by the artist in
1979 and as stated in the video transformed into a more complete and whole way
of Being. The sculptures presented here are only part of the entirely new body
of art that has emerged.