1967 kindergarten project that Jeffrey painted
Jeffrey Adams
Artist, son, brother, friend.
(1961 - 2009)
Jeffrey Adams was an American artist, born in San Francisco. He started drawing as a toddler. Our Mom likes to tell the story of Jeffrey's first wall paintings at 2 1/2years. In a scolding tone she asked "what is this Jeffrey?" and his reply was simply, "pretty!". My parents nurtured his talents, they did for both of us. They taught us you could do anything you put your mind to if you tried! His talent blossomed during his youth. His painting sessions at 11 years old, with a renowned local artist, Mrs. Terryberry, brought his painting to a new level. He had an uncanny ability to do Photorealist paintings. He won various awards in his youth for his artistic talents. Jeffrey was among the first students accepted to Art Center College of design straight out of high school. After going year round for 3 years, he graduated in 1982 with a bachelor of fine arts degree with distinction, and a minor in illustration.
After Jeff graduated, he took a road trip across the country to New York city, settling in Greenwich village. There he began working as a successful illustration artist. He won awards from the Society of Illustrators. He was sought after for his photorealist paintings but his real love was abstract expressionism.
Around 1995, severe clinical depression interrupted his work, bringing him back home to Southern California. He would not paint again for some time. His love of plants and his artistic abilities merged, bringing him to start his own business in landscape design and architecture. Jeffrey did work on our 1902 property in Altadena, inside and out. Using debris, including an old discarded truck engine of my husband's, he created beautiful realistic looking boulders that mirrored existing boulders on the property. It was the first of many boulders he created!
Music was a big part of Jeffrey's life. Even growing up in his teens, he was into alternative bands of the time and had Japanese pen pals exchanging the latest in music obsessions like Cheap Trick and the Boomtown Rats. The poetry of the lyrics and rhythms touched him. I realized it more as I sorted through his boxes of personal things over the years after his passing I knew growing up he loved music, but never realized how much a part of him it was. I found this notecard amongst his things. I'm not sure if it is actual lyrics from a song that he loved, or if it was just his writings because he was a poetry lover?
Around 2008, now in recovery from his depression, he focussed on painting again. Although offered a teaching position at Art Center College of Design, his desire was to begin painting abstracts for gallery shows. This however, was interrupted by his diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. 11 days later he was gone at the age of 48! The volume and scope of mediums in which he worked can be appreciated by viewing his portfolio. The excellence of his accomplishments is an inspiration to all who observe his work.
Upon Jeff's passing, February 20, 2009, his Art Center professor, David Mocarski, had this to say:
"Jeff was an amazing creative and I do not say that lightly. In his time at Art Center he left a strong impression on
other students and faculty a like. He was a wonderfully gentle person with an outstanding talent. All his projects were the class example, the leader, he was the guy to watch. There are so many people who went to Art Center with Jeff, who would not be the artists they are, if he were not there at that time. He was that good. He elevated every class that he was part of. His work always left a lasting impression. The world has lost a great artist, but most importantly a wonderful young man".
It is our goal to share his talents with the world and keep his art and his spirit alive! It makes us happy to share his talents with you!
In loving memory,
The Adams family
Harold, Juanita and Kimberly Adams