“Art and music have always been a major and necessary part of human existence. It's your companion when you're alone or lost. It was the way to tell a story or record an event or of the present or the past that stays true to itself.”

Jerry Retherford: The Art of Inspiration 

Multitalented artist Jerry Retherford was born in Marion Indiana in 1960. Jerry says: “We moved to a large cattle farm when I was 5 and I grew up as a cattle hand. I learned to play piano at 10 and also started oil painting in an adult art class at 10. I was the only kid allowed in the class, I graduated high school in 1979. My family was killed in an accident when I was 17 and I was on my own after that. I got married at 23 and my daughter Nicole was born soon after. I became a huge fan of the blues around the age of 24 and got my first harmonica. At 28 I taught myself improv piano, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. I formed my first band at 29 and played and sang blues and classic rock in clubs and venues. We opened for bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Jeff Healey , and the Allman Brothers, I've played and sang in bands ever since. Around this time I also got a job doing body guard work for about a year. I worked with musicians such as Billy Joel, Elton John, Micheal Jackson, Motley Crew, and Paul and Linda McCartney. At 30 I discovered stipple art and that became my main medium of art that I practice to this day. My son luke was born when I was 35 to my second wife Patty. He grew up to be a talented musician and guitar player and became my lead guitar player at 14.”

(Photo: Jerry Retherford / Willie Dixon, Artwork © by Jerry Retherford)

Painter Jerry, continue: “I opened my business at 35 working on construction sites repairing damages and holes in doors and wood products. I used my art to make the flaws disappear. It allowed me to travel all over the country and become well known as the Door Doctor. I married my third wife Brenda in 2019 and retired in 2022 to become a professional artist and musician. I published my first art book in 2022 and I'm working on my next project. My son took over my company so I work part time for him. I spend my time drawing, playing music, playing with my four grandkids, going to concerts, hanging out with good friends, and living my best life.”

Interview by Michael Limnios                     Artworks © by Jerry Retherford

How has the visual art and music influenced your views of the world? How does music affect your mood and inspiration?

I learned to love all forms of music as long as it's done well. I've grown to appreciate music from all over the world and admire the people who play it well no matter their situation or position in life. I've learned that it can bring happiness and peace even in the worst of times. It's a way to escape politics, poverty, and mood . It will bring people together no matter their race or religion. It has inspired me to learn the origins of many different kinds of music around the world especially the blues. The blues is the father of all the music played today.

How do you describe your artwork's philosophy? Where does your creative drive come from?

The philosophy of my art and my style is inspiration. If I see an old blues artists face that has artistic expression, I have a need to draw that to the best of my ability. To capture their mood at the time and to have people look at my drawing and feel that mood. My subject has to look artistic. Weather it's a guitar player in action, a nude, or a tattoo artist doing his craft, I have to be inspired by the art of what they are doing. If I don't feel it inside me, it won't come out in the drawing I'm doing.

”I am a huge fan of rock and blues from the 60s and 70s. The music from that era spoke to people and told a story. It promoted peace, understanding, and tolerance for your fellow man. It taught us to be proud and stand up for what we believed in.” (Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green, Muddy Waters, Bessie Smith, Ian Anderson & Janis Joplin / Artworks © by Jerry Retherford)

Why do you think that the Blues and Rock music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Blues will never die or go out of style. It's the foundation of all the music played today across most of the world since it was first recorded. Every musician should start by learning how to really master the blues. To feel it in your soul, and make others feel it, before they ever move on to play whatever style of music they want to play. The simplicity of it makes it very difficult for some musicians. If you can master the blues, you will be the musician you always wanted to be.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I am a huge fan of rock and blues from the 60s and 70s. The music from that era spoke to people and told a story. It promoted peace, understanding, and tolerance for your fellow man. It taught us to be proud and stand up for what we believed in. It connected with people in a way that had never been done before. Todays music promotes division and hatred. The world is a very angry and disrespectful place now. We need the love and respect of that era. It's sad to see what we have become.

What do you personally consider to be the incisive moments and pieces in your work and/or career?

My first life changing moment in my art development was my first art teacher from the studio class. Dottie took me under her wing and taught me the basics of art and oil painting. My next major change was in 1990 when I was commissioned to draw a portrait of Big Walter Horton to be made into a poster. I discovered what I now know is stippling, by looking at a photo in the newspaper. I changed my whole medium after that job and worked to perfect that craft. My next big break was inventing the process of using my art to repair wood and commercial doors. That allowed me financially freedom.

”The philosophy of my art and my style is inspiration. If I see an old blues artists face that has artistic expression, I have a need to draw that to the best of my ability. To capture their mood at the time and to have people look at my drawing and feel that mood.” (Big Walter Horton, Duane Allman, Little Walter, Lowell George, Johnny Winter & Bela Lugosi / Artworks © by Jerry Retherford)

What is the impact of art and music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the art/music to affect people?

Art and music have always been a major and necessary part of human existence. It's your companion when you're alone or lost. It was the way to tell a story or record an event or of the present or the past that stays true to itself. I don't like that schools are canceling their art and music programs to save money. They are discarding a whole group of important people in this world that need that to make their living and to be who they are meant to be. My whole life and career was all based around my talents in art and music. What will happen to the kids that are like me. 

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experiences in the art and music?

As far as my art, it has given me my self esteem and pride in everything I do. It has taught me who I am. It allowed me to create a one of a kind company that gave me the opportunity to see this country and the people who live here. And as for my music, it has shown me my talents in playing several instruments, writing music, and vocal abilities. It boosted my confidence in myself and introduced me to many friends. I got to spend the last 25 years playing music in a band with my best friends and former classmates that I've known for 45 years. A great group of guys that I'm proud to call my real family and brothers forever. Art and music have been the road map of my whole life. It taught me how to love, be happy, and live my best life. Life is too short to do it any other way.

If you had a question you would like to ask Frank Zappa, John Belushi, and Bela Lugosi what would it be?

Hmmm. That's a tuft question. Loi. As far as Frank Zappa, I consider him to be a great artist and musician. Frank had a very unique vision for music and it was pure genius. He accomplished his goals. I admire being unique and original. I would ask to play in his band. John Belushi was also one of those unique people in the world. If not for his demons I feel he could have accomplished a lot and made us all laugh for many years. Bela Lagosi was also one of those. He made a fictional character so much his own creation that even after dozens of other men playing that role, he is still the face and the standard set for that character. I would ask him why he didn't work harder to expand on his career instead of constantly returning to that one roll.

Art by Jerry - Home

(Self-portrait of Jerry Retherford, John Belushi, Frank Zappa, Ronnie Van Zant, Robert Johnson & John Lee Hooker / Artworks © by Jerry Rutherford)