Paradis bleu 1991

Jean-Paul Jerome's "Paradis bleu," is a playful exploration in hard-edged abstraction. The color palette is quite bold and energetic: reds, blues, yellows, greens, all grounded by solid blacks. The paint application is flat and opaque. The shapes are delineated with precision, giving it an almost graphic quality. The surface is smooth, without visible brushstrokes, which makes the colors even more intense. But look closer - at the gold band that sweeps across the picture plane. You can see the wood grain showing through the paint, adding a layer of texture and dimension. This piece makes me think of Mondrian, but with a sunnier disposition. And like all good art, it doesn't give up its secrets easily!