About Jo and Gary Cass

Gary Cass, a native son of Sierra Madre, California, spent his formative years amidst the local foothills and mountains, exploring nature with an insatiable curiosity. His childhood was a tapestry of adventures: chasing lizards and snakes, and the joyous rides across rugged terrains with his bicycle buddies. It was a life deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the natural world, which would later seep into his work as an artist.

The trajectory of Gary's life took a decisive turn during a school field-trip to the Los Angeles Museum of Art. Standing before an El Greco painting, he was struck by an epiphany so profound that it cemented his desire to become an artist—an aspiration to emulate the audacious brilliance of El Greco himself. While artistic talent did not run in his family, it flourished within him, compelling his 10th-grade art teacher to commission him for a large school mural.

Gary pursued his passion by attending an art school founded by a former art professor from the University of California, Santa Barbara. This institution was unique in its approach, adhering to the rigorous, old European studio-style method of instruction. This classical foundation imbued Gary with a solid grounding in artistic techniques, allowing him to experiment and innovate as he matured.

The years following art school were marked by ceaseless exploration and discovery. Gary traveled extensively to visit museums and exhibitions, immersing himself in the works of Duchamp, Joseph Cornell, and other luminaries. His pieces found homes in esteemed venues like the Ester Bear Gallery and the Edward Thorp Gallery. Nonetheless, the financial strain of sustaining a career as a full-time artist led him to seek other paths. Gary ventured into the business world by developing a wholesale nursery business, and then moving into large scale farming. His inventive spirit led him to integrate technology into his farm, igniting a fascination with computers that eventually saw him transition into a successful career as a software engineer in Silicon Valley. Despite these detours, Gary never deserted his first love. He continued to create, occasionally accepting commissions and selling select works.

Retirement from the tech world reawakened Gary's dormant passion for art, urging him to reclaim his identity as a professional artist. His work is a mélange of inspirations, from unexpected outcomes in previous paintings to in-depth studies of art history and individual artists. In art school, he replicated various techniques each week to expand his repertoire—a practice he continues to this day.

Gary's creative process defies simple explanation. It's a dance of acquired skills and spontaneous reactions, best exemplified in his signature technique, "watercolor over acrylic." This method involves laying down an acrylic base, manipulating it with knives and brushes for texture, and then layering watercolor to enhance the piece further. His adaptability is evident in how subjects can morph mid-composition, as seen in a recent transformation of an abstract assemblage into a depiction of "whales & whale falls" at his wife Jo's insightful suggestion.

Speaking of Jo, Gary and Jo now work as a team. Based on his background and technical skills, Gary is the one executing the artwork, while Jo is responsible for design oversight. This fusion of Gary's technical prowess and Jo's design guidance has rendered their joint works unmistakably distinct.

Gary's artistic influences are a constellation of brilliant minds: Caravaggio's chiaroscuro, Cezanne's late-career watercolors, Schwitter's unparalleled collages, Duchamp's revolutionary rethinking of art, and Cornell's enigmatic assemblages. The haunting works of El Greco, Picasso's revolutionary strokes, Twombly's lyrical chaos, Louis' color fields, and Warhol's audacious pop, all leave their indelible mark on Gary's creations. Add to this the minimalist elegance of Mu Qi’s "Six Persimmons," and one begins to fathom the diversity of his inspirations.

While Gary eschews formal affiliations with artist organizations or clubs, he acknowledges the shifting landscape of art promotion in the digital age. Online platforms have democratized exposure, reducing reliance on traditional galleries. Yet, critical acclaim has been no stranger to Gary's path. Admirers praise the mesmerizing textures and abstract depth of his work, expressing awe and admiration.

Beyond the canvas, Gary indulges in gardening, coding, and traveling—pursuits that resonate with his artistic sensibilities. As he navigates the present and looks to the future, the merging of his values with his art remains paramount. His journey is not just a personal endeavor but a commentary on the role of art in society. Through his work, Gary Cass continues to explore, innovate, and inspire, affirming his place in the ever-evolving narrative of contemporary art.