RIK JONNA/  ART

 

 

Rik Jonna, a self-taught artist, was born in Detroit MI. From early childhood he developed an interest in drawing and painting propelling him to enter contests and excel in the arts. At the age of 12, he also began playing the guitar and while in his teens, befriended pop-jazz guitar great George Benson. Rik’s passion and love for the instrument ultimately motivated him to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston MA, where he earned a degree in Arranging & Composition. He has since co-written with Grammy-Award winning guitarist Earl Klugh, and over the years had studied privately and taken Master Classes on a personal basis with his long-time mentor and “big brother” – the late, great jazz guitar virtuoso/ composer – Pat Martino (1944-2021)

 

Since his early twenties, Rik had maintained a very close friendship with Pat. “Pat had always been more than my personal hero and mentor. His friendship transcended guitar and music itself. He influenced me a great deal on how I approach not only the instrument, but also each new day.

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Through his inspiration, I have come of age not only musically but also socially, artistically, intellectually, and spiritually. As it relates to music, Pat’s Master Classes, the unlimited instructional resources he has shared with me, and his undying friendship and support have served as an ongoing inspiration for me to continue embracing the guitar and enjoying the art of composing music. I remain forever grateful and blessed that Pat had always been a loving mentor and “big brother”.

 

In many ways, the inspiration of Rik’s original art work is drawn from music, embodying different perspectives and musical motifs. “The freedom of jazz guitar improvisation has very much influenced my artwork. It actually affords me the opportunity to explore, grow, and create without being locked into or adhering to one specific style.” To date, Rik has composed over 50 original compositions.

 

Many of Rik’s art pieces incorporate overlapping planes, rhythmic patterns, and a multi-dimensional nature, contrasted with precise definition of form, color theme, texture, and perspective, all giving his work a dynamic sensation. "My versatile artistic ideas and visions reflect my personality, interests and mood at any given moment.”

 

His original art embodies a fascination for color, energy, and emotion, without reflecting any form of conventional reality, thus forcing the viewer to respond to the art based on his or her personal experience. “In all works, whether on canvas, wood, or music staff paper, I find never-ending inspiration applying my individual expression and celebration of life. 

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Rik's unique sculptures are created from real musical instruments which are virtually unplayable an resurrected to be enjoyed as artwork in a new way, shape and form. In the process, an instrument is dissected, painted, and reapplied to stained and framed plywood, creatring a sculpture that has a cubistic feel.

 

"It is the process of living and learning, seeing and playing, which becomes the reality of my world. The composition of music and art have the ability to transform the ordinary, lifeless or even dull, into something magically exciting and spiritually enlightening, such that it can become an awe-inspiring experience. I am an artist each and every day of my life, and thoroughly enjoy the “creative spirit.”