S. Jerry Dadds

Jerry Dadds was born on Maryland's Eastern Shore, where his family has had deep roots for centuries. His parents moved from Grasonville to Baltimore when he was three for work at Bethlehem Steel Co. From a young age, his artistic talent was recognized, and noted as being exceptional. Jerry was lucky to attend the Baltimore City College, and graduated with the Class of 1957. While at City, he was enrolled in the experimental "art curriculum" track, providing him the opportunity get into one of the best art colleges in the country, the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Arts, which is currently called University of the Arts, and located in Center City, Philadelphia. While at "UArts," he was introduced to the medium of woodcutting, and took a keen interest in printmaking. He graduated in 1961 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts, and was prolific in every medium: illustration to 3-Dimensional works. After college, he served a year in the U.S. Coast Guard, and then moved to San Francisco, where he lived and worked as a freelance artist before returning to Baltimore. Upon his return to Baltimore, he worked for WJZ Channel 13 in Baltimore in the creative arts department for several years, before co-founding his commercial arts business: the Eucalyptus Tree Studio. Located in Charles Village in Baltimore City, the Eucalyptus Tree Studio was one of the pre-imminent illustration and design studios in the mid-Atlantic region in the 1970s and 80s. During his career as an illustrator, designer, and commercial artist, Jerry served many clients. His work and unique style was sought after and easily recognized around Baltimore and beyond. Notable work included the original Pride of Baltimore logo, along with many magazine and commercial ads found across the country. He may be best known for his largest project, which was designing a set of postage stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. These stamps were pressed in 1986, and featured deceased Presidents and the White House. Jerry was well-known for his talent as a printmaker, but his abilities and talents, and exceptional creativity expanded beyond that, and earned him recognition from many institutions and organizations over his career. His drive to create was boundless, and he saw commercial art as a means to pay the bills and support his family, and so he could put effort into his work as a fine artist. His work ethic was impressive, with rigorous hours illustrating and designing during the day, while staying up into the wee hours creating fine art by night. He was said to have helped bring printmaking and the art of wood cutting back into popularity within the commercial art business. Jerry cared deeply for animals and the human spirit. He had a strong connection to the Southwestern US, and for many years he created calendars which featured his woodcut art for the Center for American Indian Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All proceeds went towards supporting the center in its mission to raise the health and self-sufficiency of American Indian Tribes to the highest level, which is the way Jerry gave back to these communities and Johns Hopkins. Jerry's other interests have included the appreciation of antiques, Scottish Deerhounds, wabi sabi aesthetics, didjeridoos, and vintage automobiles. He had a knack for recognizing the potential and beauty of something that could be restored and brought back to life. He loved traveling, especially to the United Kingdom, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where he owned a 200 year old barn. But most of all, he loved spending time talking with his many friends, his three kids, and three grandsons.

S. Jerry Dadds

October 6, 1939 - September 21, 2019