Eddi Gouraige's art.
Edmond Gouraige was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is the second child of Frantz and Emilie Duroseau Gouraige. He was seven years old when she passed; Edmond loved his mother and her passing caused him to day dream while attending Jean Marie Guilloux. He had to repeat that school year because he simply could not make the grades. That is to show how he was affected by the premature death of his mother.
Upon completion of his "école primaire", Edmond went to Lycée Anténor Firmin. There, he did very well academically ; by 1960 the young Edmond emigrated to the US with his parents.
The year 1961 was a turning point in his life. He was drafted in the United States Army. He described his experience in the ARMY as a wonderful journey. He loved the discipline, attention to details and above all the brotherhood. Edmond became an infantryman, paratrooper, raider and had some outstanding mentors. As a career soldier for twenty two years, Edmond served in a leadership position in Vietnam. He rose to the position of Assistant Commandant of a Non-commissioned Officer's Academy and , finally, as Senior Enlisted Adviser for the State of New Jersey's Reserve Division. While at the Non-commissioned Officer's academy, Edmond earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. A rarity in those days.
While in the army, Edmond also loved art particularly Haitian art. He loved the bright colors, the concept of several Haitian artists (too many to mention).
Deeply in his heart, Edmond wanted to hang some Haitian paintings in his office. He knew a young painter from Haiti. Eddi then bought a canvas, some brushes and some oil color and ask that young talented Haitian painter to come up with a subject where the national flag of his beloved country would prime.
Several months later, the painting was not delivered as promised; Saddened, Edmond regained possession of the material;he bought several books about painting. He read all of them and guess: he became a "do it yourselfer". Edmond took the time and the pain to teach himself how to paint. Now trips to the art supply store became almost a weekly routine. He asked questions, went to libraries, borrowed books in order to learn how to paint. With patience and determination Eddi was able to hang in a few months time his first painting in his office. Useless to say that some of the students who entered the Edmond's office were surprised to see that he was a college graduate a painter and a Haitian-American too. Years later ex students would approach Edmond to tell him how the sight of that diploma and the Haitian flag together motivated them to continue their education.
After military service, Edmond continued to paint. He used the G.I. bill to attend the University of Oklahoma and earned a Master's degree. He continued to work with the Army's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Control Program until retirement in 2003.
Edmond is now enjoying the slow pace of life with his wife Cristina in Switzerland... He continues to paint when inspired. He is now interested in the Sequins and Pearls art form...
We invite you to see his work. Take the time to admire his talents. Edmond enjoys comments; don't hesitate to post one.
