Works of Jonathan Spivak to be featured at Gallery 50

Gallery 50 Contemporary Art & Framing will welcome artist and restaurateur Jonathan Spivak May 10-23. There will be an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, May 10. Spivak’s work will also be featured in the MOSAIC Second Saturday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 11.

Spivak was born and raised in New York City. He began to experiment with painting in the late 1960s and continued on and off for about a decade. He has been painting seriously since the late '80s.

Jonathan moved to Bethany Beach in 1993, where he opened Sedona restaurant, and later he opened Fusion and Salt Air in Rehoboth Beach.

Spivak is an abstract artist and uses liquid acrylics and acrylics mixed with water. His artistic philosophy is to follow his heart and use the language of imagination as well as emotions and life experience as a means to express his vision. He is a colorist and uses varying degrees of tone, intensity and brightness to influence the viewer.

A closer examination of his work shows the utilization of all primary and many auxiliary colors in each painting. His use of blue represents tranquility, peace and affection. His greens relate to persistence, tenacity and security. Red represents desire and passion while yellow evokes exhilaration, optimism, joy and happiness. Almost all of his work contains some black, representing the unknown, loss and death.

Spivak's paintings can be found in his studio and personal residence and in private collections throughout the mid-Atlantic states. His inventory of works is for sale, and interested parties may also commission him to create original works. He currently maintains an art studio and gallery in his home in Bethany Beach.

This is the first exhibit for Gallery 50 Contemporary Art & Framing for 2013 and since the opening of the framing shop, managed by master framer Ed McGann, formerly of Nassau Gallery and The Thunderbird Shop. McGann has 30 years' experience as a framer.

Gallery 50 Contemporary Art & Framing is at 50 Wilmington Ave. in Rehoboth Beach, next door to the Henlopen City Oyster House. The gallery is open every day except Wednesday.  Contact Ed McGann, at 302-227-2050, go to www.50contemporaryart.com, email ed@50contemporaryart.com and check out Facebook for more information.