Ralph Jumbek
Artist's Statement
Years ago, Ralph was inspired by the beauty of a summer garden and suddenly felt the urge to draw. He borrowed some pastels from a friend and started to create the image of what he saw. Ralph was both surprised and delighted by the result of his first efforts and rushed out to the store to purchase art supplies…$200 later Ralph Jumbeck had launched his art career.
Ralph is particularly inspirational because he is self-taught. He has taken only two formal art classes since that day in the summer garden. Nevertheless, he has been showing his work since he started painting. He is a regular exhibitor at galleries throughout Chicago (see attached) and is the recipient of the 1999 Excellence Award at the Lincoln Park Cultural Center Art Fair.
Much of Ralph's work draws inspiration from the exotic natural beauty and the brightly colored native artwork he has witnessed in his many travels through Central American and Mexico. Brilliantly colored fish play interestingly against the meditative stillness of quiet waters. Mysterious, mystical figures seem to be dancing and at closer view hidden objects seem to appear. The resulting images lead the viewer through a range of emotions as they witness one of his exhibits.
Today, Ralph says he draws and paints because he "simply cannot stop". For one thing, wielding his paintbrush provides him with a healing release. No matter how tired his day has left him, when he steps to his canvas he is drawn in, and hours melt away…he is rejuvenated through the creative energy of his work.
Another reason that Ralph enjoys his art so much is the intimacy it requires him to establish with his subjects. Whether he is working on a landscape or an abstract, he believes that the act of painting helps him see things more clearly, noticing details and nuances that previously went unnoticed. The pieces are rarely planned out in advance, but rather seem to express straight from his soul, as though he were providing a channel.
This attention to detail is clearly evidenced in his work. Each piece is superbly executed. Moving easily between mediums-watercolors, acrylics and oils-his flexible style reflects great sensitivity to the unique expressive power of each.
Another part of Ralph's reward from painting comes from watching other people as they experience his work. "I am able to remember the feelings that each piece evoked as I created it-seeing others experience those same feelings when they view a piece is a very powerful thing."
Ralph returns to Chicago each spring with pieces freshly inspired by Costa Rica. He exhibits regularly in Chicago and Costa Rica, and is also available for commissioned work.