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Photo by Dante Fontana

The Arts

From the December 2008 issue

Master of Acrylics
Jerry Lipp

by LeeAnn Dickson


The ancient Roman philosopher Cicero once said, “The most valuable of arts, is the art of living.” That is the best way to explain how Rocklin artist Jerry Lipp enjoys his life – he lives it to its fullest. “I am truly blessed to be able to make my living doing what I love,” Lipp says.

Between being a CEO of a local multi media advertising firm and putting in more than 60 hours a week painting, he shows an obsession for creating. “Even if I didn’t make good money in my profession,” Jerry says, “I’d be working at McDonald’s to buy materials to paint.”

He studied under and has been influenced by many local and international artists. However, he credits his grandmothers, both accomplished painters, for teaching him the basics and seeding his passion. “They tried teaching me to paint with oils,” Lipp recalls. “What six year-old kid can wait for oils to dry?” They both switched to quick drying acrylics as their media and so did Jerry. “Once they starting using acrylics,” he confesses, “I used to ‘borrow’ their supplies.”

In his painting he works with texture and lots of color. He aspires to paint women in abstract without offending or objecting them. “The female form is the essence of the piece,” Lipp says, “not the object.” His inspired process to complete each painting takes about three to four weeks. “To me, painting is like breathing…I spend most of my time painting.” And, after spending the better part of a month completing pieces of his work, according to Lipp it is hard to part with them. “To me,” Lipp admits, “selling a painting is like selling my kid.”

His personal vision, seen in his work, conveys a specific emotion of each of his subjects. He is quick to categorize himself as a painter and not an artist. “I am a painter of paintings,” he explains, “I’m not in a position to criticize my own work…that’s up to the viewer.”

This creative, dynamic man is also humble. As an accomplished businessman in all his endeavors, he knows the importance of surrounding himself with good people. “We are here for each other,” Lipp says. “Everyone in my life leaves me a better person.”

Part of Kallie Cabrera’s job as an executive administrator working for Jerry Lipp is to make sure he has everything he needs to give him more time to paint. “It’s been an incredible experience learning and growing both with him and in the art,” Cabrera says. “His work is tremendous and I love being part of his creative process.”

Noel Flynn, fellow artist and owner of Noel Flynn Gallery, works with Lipp to transform loose canvases into framed gallery-wrapped works of art. “Jerry’s depiction of the female,” Flynn says, “skillfully blends the outer fringes of reality together with the rudimentary abstraction of color and form.”

Lipp works hard creating everyday. He believes that your mindset drives you. “It is up to you,” he says, “if you are successful or not.”