In Memory

As we were working on this issue of International

Artist, we received the news from the Portrait

Society of America on the untimely passing of chairman Edward Jonas. Throughout his more than 40-year career, Ed was recognized as not only an exemplary painter and sculptor, but also as a pillar in the portrait art community. “Ed was a true visionary, an intellectual giant, a most creative and compassionate soul,” says Dawn E. Whitelaw, Portrait Society’s vice chair. “He lives on through monumental works of art and in the hearts of everyone he nurtured along the way. We have lost an extraordinary man.”

When Ed founded the Portrait Society more than 20 years ago with Gordon Wetmore and Tom Donahue, the goal was to foster the talents of artists working in portraiture and figurative art. Ed’s passion for this mentorship allowed him to be a teacher and friend to many in the art world, including those that read this publication.

For years, Ed’s Chairman’s Letter has been a fixture in the pages of International Artist and provided insights, techniques and motivation for artists. It was a space for him to talk with you directly and share his knowledge, and we all appreciated learning from him over the years. It’s hard to think that our previous issue was Ed’s last letter, but his words during the global pandemic—and in the countless other letters he wrote—are a reminder to persevere and that art can make a difference.