Jack Whitehead’s Works Raise Money for Affirmations

(Crystal A. Proxmire)

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Through the end of November, visitors to the Pittman-Puckett gallery inside Affirmations (290 W. 9 Mile) can enjoy the super-sized acrylic paintings created by Jack Whitehead.  The works are original paintings done toward the end of the artist’s life while he was living in Florida and fighting kidney disease, though he is mainly known through the Detroit area as a fashion and automotive photographer.

Beginning at the age of 70, Whitehead produced over 300 4’ x 4’ paintings in less than two years.  Most of the paintings are landscapes – scenes with water, trees and mountains.  Though there are some surprises in the show, like a zebra in motion, and two cranes that might be dancing.

Twin sisters Kathy Takenaga of Huntington Woods and Patty Kelly of St. Clair Shores were two of the dozens of people who came to the exhibit’s opening on Oct. 1, 2010.  “I was blown away by the color and of course I love the size,” Takenaga said.  She said that she’d have a hard time choosing from the over 40 paintings on display.

With names like “Yellow Aspen,” “Ode to Dali,” “Italian Countryside,” “Pastel Evening,” “Misty River” and “Smoke Trees in Autumn,” it’s easy to see why a choice could be hard.

“The quality is stunning too,” added Kelly.

All of the money raised from the sale of the paintings is being donated to Affirmations by friends of Whitehead’s who acquired the paintings upon his death on New Years Day 2009.

Affirmations is Metro Detroit’s community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) people and their allies.  Open since 1989 and located in the Detroit suburb of Ferndale, Affirmations provides a welcoming space where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & expressions, and cultures can find support and unconditional acceptance, and where they can learn, grow, socialize, and have fun.  For more information, visit their website at www.GoAffirmations.org.

To read our pre-event article, go to: http://oaklandcounty115.com/2010/09/30/jack_whitehead/