In Memoriam: Jon Whiddon
My friend Jon Whiddon passed away last night.
Jon was an artist. I’ve known Jon for many years, but I usually only saw him two or three times a year – usually at the Gay Spirit Visions conferences, sometimes at one of his art shows.
I’ve had a lot of heartfelt conversations with Jon over the years. Our last conversation was about the optimism he felt, even though he had been battling cancer of the esophagus and had been in chemotherapy for an extended time. Jon talked about keeping a positive outlook and being open to receiving blessings, attracting abundance to our respective careers – him to his artwork, me to my counseling practice. It was a very inspiring conversation with a big gentle man full of Spirit and love.
In July 2006, when I bought Jon’s painting “Forest Crow” and hung it, along with several other paintings by Jon, in my counseling office, this is what I posted here about it:
“Forest Crow” is, to me, a haunting, dream-like image. I have always felt an attraction to naked, autumnal trees, especially when seen against a grey sky. It’s an image that has appeared in my dreams ever since childhood, and to see it portrayed so vividly in a work of art – it truly spoke to something deep inside me.The crow in flight adds to the earthiness of the scene, suggesting to me the flight of the soul against the stark existential realities of life. Not that I find such realities unpleasant. I find a deep beauty in such starkness, and to me this painting reflects that beauty.
Jon was an artist. I’ve known Jon for many years, but I usually only saw him two or three times a year – usually at the Gay Spirit Visions conferences, sometimes at one of his art shows.
I’ve had a lot of heartfelt conversations with Jon over the years. Our last conversation was about the optimism he felt, even though he had been battling cancer of the esophagus and had been in chemotherapy for an extended time. Jon talked about keeping a positive outlook and being open to receiving blessings, attracting abundance to our respective careers – him to his artwork, me to my counseling practice. It was a very inspiring conversation with a big gentle man full of Spirit and love.
In July 2006, when I bought Jon’s painting “Forest Crow” and hung it, along with several other paintings by Jon, in my counseling office, this is what I posted here about it:
“Forest Crow” is, to me, a haunting, dream-like image. I have always felt an attraction to naked, autumnal trees, especially when seen against a grey sky. It’s an image that has appeared in my dreams ever since childhood, and to see it portrayed so vividly in a work of art – it truly spoke to something deep inside me.The crow in flight adds to the earthiness of the scene, suggesting to me the flight of the soul against the stark existential realities of life. Not that I find such realities unpleasant. I find a deep beauty in such starkness, and to me this painting reflects that beauty.
I grieve for the loss of my friend, and I hold his family and his loved ones in my prayers. I am grateful Jon is no longer in pain.
Top: Jon in September 2007, between chemo treatments
Middle: “Forest Crow” at Jon’s 2006 art show in North Georgia
Bottom: Jon at Joyce Kilmer National Forest, Thanksgiving 2007
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Labels: In Memoriam
posted by Darrell Grizzle | 11:16 PM
16 Comments:
Jon was such a warm and beautiful man. I really got to know Jon well when he and his dear friend Frank visited me at my home in Blera, Italy one summer where he painted many wonderful paintings. He was always sweet, funny and ready to listen and talk about anything. He will be missed by me & my family. Love & hugs to all of his family. Linda Green
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Thank you for sharing about him, his work and his picture. I feel like I've known him just a little now and I feel enriched by the experience. My heart and thoughts go out to you today.
Darrell, my prayers are with your friend Jon, and those are grieving his loss.
As they say in the Islamic tradition, to God we belong, and to Him we shall return.
Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. You've painted a beautiful picture of him in your writing and he sounds like a wonderful person. Peace to all who are grieving at this time.
Darrell, I'm sorry for your loss. Healing, grace, and peace,
PLS
Thank you for your photos of Jon. Joyce Kilmer is such a magical place, and Jon went there one or more times every year. It fills my heart to see him in his element.
Please keep my email and stay in touch.
Alycen, Jon's sister
I'm so sorry to hear of Jon's passing and the pain you and his many friends have felt as a result. I didn't know Jon, but I was scheduled to take a week-long art class from him in late June. It was fun to research him and his art, each so unique and beautiful, and I was so excited! The school said they can't replace him as a teacher, and the class has been canceled. And, indeed, who could begin to replace such a gentle, artistic soul? His life and work have touched so many, and will continue to do so. Blessings to all who knew and loved him.
Cathy
Linda referenced "Jon's friend Frank." And her's too. That's me. I still miss him, but grateful for the honour to know him and be with him for a time on this earth.
I was so surprised to find that Jon had died. What a loss!! We live in Blairsville where his pictures have been on display, and I was looking for his website to purchase one. You know he had to have a wonderful spirit...it shows in his art.
I am so sad to hear of Jon's death. He was such an amazing artist and human being. I send heartfelt best wishes to his family. I look at the painting of his that I bought every day and think about and miss Jon.
I met Jon in Sept. of '05. He was the first fellow artist to welcome me to Hiawassee and he was my neighbor. One trip to his fabulous studio set deep into the woods, surrounded by nature, created with his own hands, you knew he was a wonderful, loving and creative being. I will miss him and remember the first time I met him, driving up and down the road looking for my driveway. I saw an old Mercedes go by and knew...that has to be an Artist. And he was a Great One.
Patsy
I was at the Blairsville Rib Country this weekend where I had discovered Jon's whimsical, magical art a few years ago, and heard of his passing. Please accept my condolences. His art touched me, particularly his yellow dog paintings, as I have a yellow lab - his paintings capture her joy of life. I wish I would have known Jon because he has made my life more joyful and bright. Thank you for your touching memorial and I am sorry for your loss. Tracy K. Arthur
I'm so touched to have received Jon's paints that were left with his partner, Jeff who has also recently left us. Jeff's mom thought that I should take them and I know that both of them would think that was a good thing. What a great honor it will be to paint with Jon's brushes as well. Today I found a poem written in pencil "To Tiger," that was in the box of paints. I'll be painting something using his paint and brushes to remember the both of them together, Jon and Jeff (Tiger). Mike Goettee
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Jon. I did not know him, but I do own some of his art. He seemed like a wonderful person who touched many lives.
I have tried to search the internet to see where his paintings are available for sale, but I have not had any luck. Do you know where I can look? I would love to own another work of his.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and his loved ones,
Kathy
I just looked on my porch, where Jon's early Adam and Eve has hung for the last decade if not more. As sometimes happens, we lose track of friends over time. I didn't know I had lost Jon forever (other than what remains in my heart) -- I'm stunned. I first met Jon at an antique show in Atlanta, and watched him grow from painting small pieces of plywood and auto paint into much larger pieces of plywood, and most likely, more auto paint! A lovely, considerate delight of a person: he and his antique friend had us all in stitches for two days with his incredible sense of humor. Later, he invited me to his home in South Georgia and his dad picked pecans and gave me a camellia plant on my way from here to there. Such southern gentlemen -- I still have several of his early camellia paintings as a reminder. And the bush blooms every December. May he rest in peace.
Birgitta Wade
After my husband and I saw Jon's work at Rib Country we fell in love with it. I comissioned Jon to paint a "colorful Rooster" for my husband when we moved to Blue Ridge from Miami. Jon and I had great conversations about the colors, etc. and he turned out to be perfect. My husband and I visited Jon at his studio to chat and found him to be one of the kindest gentlest souls we'd ever known. He is surely missed by us. We treasure our Rooster and raise a glass to Jon often when we admire his work and reflect on our great loss of a friend.
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