Jerry was trained in art, however. “I went to school for three years at Rockland Community College and the State University of New Paltz, both in New York. One day, the one teacher who believed in me and saw how committed I was as an artist said to me, ‘What are you doing here? Why don’t you just go out and do it?’ He said the one thing that I knew I needed to do, but was afraid to. Even though I had almost completed my degree program, when he said this to me, I walked straight out the door, never to return. I do have an A.A. degree, for those interested in my minimal credentials.”
At age 29, he set out to discover the rock-bottom truth of his life. For years he questioned the limits of his creative life as a studio painter. After destroying all of his art and giving away everything he owned, Jerry began a life of unconditional trust, allowing life to provide all that was needed. He lived this way for over 10 years and then moved to the state of Washington, where he married Marilyn Strong and produced a large new body of art.
Jerry was approached by the publisher at Sentient Publications and asked to write a book about those years, which he agreed to do. The book was completed in 4 months and titled, "The Inspired Heart," published by Sentient Publications in the Fall of 2002. He and Marilyn have finished an extensive booksigning and lecture tour. (Read sample chapters and foreword by Thomas Moore.)
Marilyn and Jerry’s charming Whidbey Island home is now filled with his unique sculptures and paintings. He also built a 40-foot meditation tower, the Flaming Stupa, on his property.
A video of Jerry’s life and work, In the Hands of Alchemy, is available from Parabola. Jerry is available for film showings, speaking engagements, and workshops with his wife—singer and adult education teacher, Marilyn Strong.
Jerry, Marilyn, and the Flaming Stupa are featured in a chapter of a new book called, "Holy Personal: Looking for Small Private Places of Worship" by Laura Chester, with photos by Dona Demari, and foreword by Thomas Moore (Indiana University Press).
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While living in Germany in the 1980s Belinda began Gypsy Literary Magazine and Sanctuary Tape Series where she published writings and vocal performances of poets from many countries. Sanctuary ran about 6 years and Gypsy for 10 years before its resurrection in 2004. She also published many books under the VERGIN PRESS imprint including VOCES FRONTERIZAS, writings based on life on the U.S./Mexican border sponsored by the El Paso Public Library as well as THE GULF WAR: MANY PERSPECTIVES, EARTH TONES, IMAGES OF JIM MORRISON and  HENRY MILLER AND MY BIG SUR DAYS.
Belinda's own writing has grown to span a vast array of subjects, styles and publications. She has traveled in over 20 countries, lived in Europe for 6 years and was part of an East Indian family for 22 years. These cross-cultural experiences often inform her work as well as her experiences as a Registered Nurse. These days her poetry, stories, and art can be found in hundreds of journals, reviews, anthologies, books and chapbooks. Since 1994 her archives are housed at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, in the Center for Southwest Research.
Belinda balances her life as a writer and RN by painting, sculpting and political activism. She was a Texas delegate to the First National Green Party Convention in 2000, on the Texas Green Party State Executive Committee from 2001-2003 and the El Paso County Green Party Co-chair from 2000-2004. Currently she is politically independent and only works with peace groups. In short, she loves to create with her hands and her mind.
