Vibrant work of local artist now on display at county building

Goshen - The Executive Suite Gallery at the Orange County Government Center is hosting Jean Claude Gracia, an artist born in France and now living in the Monroe area. Gracia was born in the small village of Gascony in France, later moving to the heart of Provence where he was exposed to the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh. Gracia uses rich colors to inflame his paintings with an eruption of vibrancy, creating a celebration of light and fire. “Painting is like a raging river swirling with joy, a powerful torrent of craziness,” the artist said. “The entire picture is curling: the sky, the trees and the field of wheat are swirling by a mysterious power, the power of mind, the power of gaiety; a simple landscape becomes an explosion of color where each pigment is a leaf carried away by a tumultuous current; the entire world is turning around me faster and faster, a wheel of passion and emotion where I am the conductor; my brush is my baton, the scenery my orchestra and you are the spectator.” Gracia studied at the School of Restoration of Art of Biarritz in France. His work is in many private collections including the Museum of Espaya in Greece, the Museum of Mon Gris in Spain and several galleries in the United States. His work has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines as well as adorning the cover of Pulse Magazine. For more information, visit his Web site at www.jeanclaudegracia.com. The exhibit is open to the public during business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show opened Dec. 7 and runs through Jan. 18. All are welcome.