Jeff Wolff ARTIST STATEMENT “What is it made of…what shape is it…and what is the color?” She was my 24th therapist and none had posed questions like this, but they cut to the heart of my problem— 49 years of Major Depression. I said, “there are 2 massive rectangles. One crushing my sternum, the other my belly. They are made of granite, and most are black or gray.” She asked, “What is your favorite color?” Two days later I was painting huge slabs of cardboard bright orange as I envisioned the massive black rectangles choking on the paint. Sadly, my Depression continues. But for 3 hours a day, I struggle to paint. I find some refuge in my art. Making art takes my mind off my mind. 90% of the time I start with no idea. The shapes or colors I draw early on dictate where to go. I rarely do a work absent Black. Yet it’s this BLACKNESS that demands I seek relief in color. And I have… at least some of the time. There is no magic elixir for ending the demon. I have won 2 dozen awards for writing, primarily for copywriting, but in other genres as well, including a Power Of Print Award from Time Magazine for a piece I wrote 50 plus years ago, sounding an alarm focused on nuclear war. I mention this because it seems preposterous that for 74 years I never lifted a paintbrush, a chunk of chalk or piece of pastel, even as I started amassing a large collection of paintings and ceramics at age 23. So, the work you will see (only if you look) has been chosen by me from the 400 plus pieces I have generated, despite my brutal depression, in the last 9 years. Enjoy.