Painting by John VandenOever

VandenOever, who serves as pastor of the Piermont Reformed Church, studied music at Central College (Iowa), theology at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and drawing and painting at Queens College, CUNY. He is also a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose original music can be heard at the church and in performances by the duo Two Late in the Day. His artwork has been exhibited locally at Hopper House Art Center and Rockland Center for the Arts. He was also given a solo exhibit at the Fleming Gallery in Surrey, England.

Artist's statement:

"Making a picture helps me see the world in new and interesting ways, and often helps me to learn something about myself or what it means just to be human. We can hear color in music or see rhythm in sculpture, and be more aware of the color or rhythm of our lives."

Painting by John VandenOever

"A couple of years ago," he says, "I began painting a series of still lifes, and soon realized that my choice of objects and their arrangements were, with a little play on words, illustrating intangible qualities– structure, balance, measure, and reflection– that I was learning to value and strive for as I neared the age of fifty and began to grow up. These, one hopes, can all come together in a composition that is dynamic, colorful, and rich. It's probably easier to paint it than to live it."