Portraits of an Artist / Interview: John Kowalczyk Art

Top collage  image: John Kowalczyk in his studio. Bottom 2 images of collage: detail shots of some work in progress at John's studio.




Hey there! Thanks for stopping in to check out a New Awesome Project for Kasey K. Photo in collaboration with Artist John Kowalczyk!

Recently, the idea came to mind to create/photograph a “Portraits of an Artist” Series as a collaborative project & interview with one of my Artist friends. Throughout this past year, I have taken notice of the great accomplishments & continuous creativity flowing from my friend & Milwaukee Artist/Painter John Kowalczyk. I threw out the proposal/idea to him less than a month ago & shortly after, we had a meeting to discuss details & then we set up a studio day visit, interview over lunch (Tacos of course!!) & a portrait session all in one hard working day of Amazingly fun creativity!

Keep reading to learn more about John Kowalczyk & viewing to see some of John’s great work, Plus the Amazing Portraits we collaborated on & studio detail images of John’s “works in progress” taken at his Studio located at RedLine Milwaukee Gallery.


John Kowalczyk 
Artist Statement:

An over stimulated shiny stew of pattern, color, texture, myth, politics, tradition, religion, power and a little glitter arranged ritualistically and without a doubt by my hand. The work takes itself lightly in material and aesthetic with its flamboyant color and pageantry, but is sophisticated in that it is rendered in a style somewhere between folk art and fine art with an attitude of highbrow kitsch. Decadent stage-like settings are cast with homemade mythologies. The narrative comes complete with odd humanoid animals, cryptic symbols, and psychedelic journeys juxtaposed with abstract patterning and geometric rigor. My work is an energetic orchestration of thought that collides with color and takes the shape of lifetime’s worth of lexicons, rational or abstract, to become a physical extension of my gratitude for and joy of creation. ~Artist: John Kowalczyk


Q & A Interview:

(Kasey K.) One thing I have noticed and admired about you as an artist is how you just can’t stop creating! Which is obviously only going to make you grow & let your work be stronger as an artist: What drives you to keep creating? 

(John Kowalczyk) Art making has become a life pursuit for me, I can’t imagine not creating. I am inspired by everything from color, pattern, reality television, mythology, art history, politics, cats, neighbors, ghosts and the list goes on. I create to immortalize my experience of everyday life. I like to think I am reacting to and processing the world through my creations to form a synchronized union with life and people and the cosmos. Thinking and creating are hand in hand.  

(Kasey K.) Influences: Any artists or issues that you feel your work explores or mimics or touches upon frequently? What influences you & your work?

(John Kowalczyk) I research many artists to take bits of inspiration from; currently I am very inspired by Ellsworth Kelly and have been making pieces in reaction to his formal aesthetic and conceptual thoughts about painting. Some of my favorite artists would include TAL R, Wangechi Mutu, Yayoi Kusama, Daniel Richter, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Maurizio Cattelan.


Image submitted by Artist: "Jean-Michel" 11"x14" watercolor & gouche on paper, 2011. John Kowalczyk


(Kasey K.) Describe your method, style, favorite medium to create?

(John Kowalczyk) I call myself a painter and consider most of my work painting even when it may be more of a sculptural work. I consider my collage materials a form of paint. I like the idea of transcendence whether it be liquid paint to solid paint or tiny bit of fabric and ribbon becoming more than the sum of their parts.  

(Kasey K.) What is your schedule like? How often do you plan time to go work at your studio/or create in general?

(John Kowalczyk) I am fortunate enough to only work part time allowing me to spend more time in my studio. I like to spend 20 hours a week creating art; that said a lot of time is spent gathering materials, researching, and general business stuff like applying to shows and writing proposals for future projects, which are all essential parts of my studio practice.


work in progress/painting details with John Kowalczyk



John's Art Studio -details 


(Kasey K.) Knowing that we are both MIAD Alumni, I feel it’s interesting to ask this question: Do you feel your schooling at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design influenced your work ethic/nourished it? How so?

(John Kowalczyk) I have always had a strong work ethic, thanks to my wonderful parents, and a problem with authority, thanks to me. It was hard being told what to do or how to paint early in art school by my professors. Later when things became more independent is when I started to thrive. The most nourishing part of my experience at MIAD was and still is my wonderful community of artist friends I have made. I am constantly inspired and encouraged by my peers, like you Kasey.

(Kasey K.) Where did you grow up? Go to school before college?

(John Kowalczyk) I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Palatine, Illinois to be exact where I attended William Fremd High School and St. Theresa grade school, catholic school has greatly influenced my opinions on organized religion and the catholic church in general, it’s hard for me to see past the carved marble and gold leaf facade but I do love glitter. I also had the opportunity to work full time at The Art Institute of Chicago before moving to Milwaukee as a children’s tour guide. I absolutely loved this experience.

(Kasey K.) If you were a color in a crayon box, what color would you be? 

(John Kowalczyk) Redorange or seafoam green depending on the day.





(Kasey K.) What is your favorite shape?  I ask this as I see a lot of geometry/geometric shapes within your recent work you have posted & I have seen that you have put up in your gallery installation photos. Can you explain some of these pieces…?

(John Kowalczyk) My favorite shape is a circle, and recently I have been using symmetry a lot. I also like pyramids for their mythical, mysterious, and powerful qualities. My circle obsession started as a child. I loved color blind tests and often was too wrapped up in the different hues of the complimentary colors to find the hidden number. I obviously am not color blind but thought the numbers were arbitrary to all the beautiful hues and saturations. Symmetry is naturally beautiful I am interested in beauty, but also being a twin I like the mirrored image or dual image. 



Details of work in progress at John Kowalczyk's Studio space at RedLine Milwaukee where he is an artist in residence.


Johnny in his studio showing us some of his fabrics that he will use within new work/paintings.


(Kasey K.) Another reason why I was really inspired to work with you & collaborate with you on this portrait/interview project is because of seeing & hearing about how involved you have been within the artist community in Milwaukee.  Community involvement, volunteering & giving to fundraisers is something I really enjoy doing in my hometown of Delavan, where I live now.  And living in Milwaukee thru great friends is how you & I have met & we have both been involved in donating time/skills/talents/donations to The Celebrating Brad Foundation 

http://sweetforcertain.com/  
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/CelebratingBrad 


 You did LIVE Art & Auction at this Event…you have produced some Amazing work on the spot!  Describe some of how LIVE art creation is different or similar for you than when you are in your element or in the studio…

(John Kowalczyk) I do a lot of community work through RedLine Milwaukee where I am currently an artist in residence. http://www.redlineartmke.org/  This summer I worked with 14 teens and the Milwaukee Art Museum to create a bus mural that was digitally scanned and printed on a city bus. Our bus says “Help Harmony Blossom” and can been seen cruising the streets of Milwaukee. I also organize workshops and classes with local public schools and they get to take fields trips to make art at RedLine. Being an artist can be a very isolating pursuit and I find community involvement very refreshing and inspiring. Children are fearless when combining color and mediums and I often find myself borrowing their adventurous attitude when it comes to color.

LIVE art is very different than studio art for me. In my studio I might spend 80% of the time thinking and 20% painting where as LIVE art is 100% action. I love different approaches to making art, but find my studio work holds a little more meaning.




creative portraits with John Kowalczyk in his studio.


(Kasey K.) Do you ever have those days when you have a creative roadblock? Like your own brain is working against you…Do you ever have creative FEAR? How do you work through it? Strengths & weaknesses…

(John Kowalczyk) First off I definitely don’t wait for the magic inspiration fairy to visit before I make art because that only happens once in a blue moon.  Although, one strategy I use to keep the creativity and freshness flown is I keep a large painting in my studio that I allow myself to do whatever I want to. I have no expectations for the piece; it serves a very free space to just paint in. I often try things that end up inspiring paintings of their own because of the fearlessness of the fact that it is just an experiment. 

(Kasey K.) You and I have discussed the City of New York as we both this past November 2011 took fun personal vacations there (separately) but very near in timing. I can’t wait to go back & I know from speaking with you that you have some Goals with New York in mind… 
Tell me more about your future GOALS as an artist with expanding your career!?



(John Kowalczyk) An ultimate dream is to have Chelsea Galleries knock on my studio door and ask to represent me but only I can make that happen. A simple goal of mine is to outdo each show I have, I hope the work gets a little better and the gallery a little more prestigious. I set small goals like participate in 10 shows in 2012, and bigger goals like receiving another residency for when my current one is over.  That’s one I’m working towards currently.


(Kasey K.) Think about when you were young and a child, do you remember one of your first times creating something you were really proud of? Describe that experience. What did you create?

(John Kowalczyk) When I was in Kindergarten trolls were the big thing. One day we had a troll party where everyone in the class brought their trolls and we sorted them and counted them and stuff. Well I forgot my troll, and quickly drew and cut one out so I could participate in the troll party. He had green hair. That night my teacher called my parents and told them I was supposed to be an artist. I guess that was that. My 2nd grade teacher told me I should be a politician, ha.  

(Kasey K.) How do you feel when you create?  Describe a real life experience/situation that inspired you to go to your studio and create!

(John Kowalczyk) I find the most inspiring times are periods spent away from my studio because I realize how important it is to me. Anytime I come back from NY I find myself itching to get in the studio, the volume of art I see is so visually stimulating. It’s a ball of emotions when I create from happy as a clam to butterflies in my tummy. Sometimes its nerve wrecking and other times its very meditative. I guess I feel stimulated, purposeful, and alive when I create.  




Details of John's work in progress during the studio visit.

(Kasey K.) Tell me about your Gallery exhibits from past, articles you were featured, print or exposure as an artist, galleries & reviews, and more about the most recent acceptance into The Charles Allis Art Museum: “Forward: A Survey of Wisconsin Art Now” Exhibit. J YAY CONGRATS!

(John Kowalczyk) A few highlights from the past include…

-Being the winter artist in resident with the now default gallery Around the Coyote in Chicago where I was commissioned to make to install a 20x 10 ft wooden quilt and multiple bird sculptures

-Receiving my residency at RedLine Milwaukee

- Annuakai An Ancient Bloodline, which was a solo show at Jackpot Gallery in Milwaukee

- This Over That in a Powerful but not Greedy Sense, which was a solo show at the Borg Ward Collective in Milwaukee

-The Blazin Yule Sculpture Walk at the Harley Davidson Museum

-I am A Painter, which was a group show at Effjay Projects in Sheboygan

Upcoming I’ll have work at The Charles Allis Art Museum, Cedarburg Cultural Center, a solo show at American Fantasy Classics, and a solo show at RedLine Milwaukee’s gallery.

Image submitted by Artist:
Installation shot of “This over That: In a Powerful but not Greedy Sense” at The Borgward Collective in May 2011.




(Kasey K.) Do you have any tips or advice to new emerging creative/artists? What is the best piece advice you have been given?

(John Kowalczyk) It’s cheesy but make work that is true to yourself, ask yourself what you love and make work about that. Also I find setting accomplishable goals, like finish one painting week and apply to one show a month, is extremely motivating. You begin to realize how much work you can handle and accomplish. With every completed goal you become a more confident and productive artist. Hold yourself accountable because none can do it for you.

(Kasey K.) Was your family encouraging or influential in your art making when you were growing up? Are they creative types?

(John Kowalczyk) My dad is a salesman but has always enjoyed drawing, my mom is a principle and enjoys making jewelry. My twin is an excellent painter but chose not to pursue it. Without the support of my family I wouldn’t be the artist I am today. My mom signed me up for every art class I wanted when I was a kid and always believed in me. 


(Kasey K.) What type of work do you enjoy doing the MOST, what are you most proud of NOW? What medium?

(John Kowalczyk) I enjoy the act of cutting and gluing very much. I am currently very proud of my fabric collage paintings. As I mature as an artist I realize I don’t have to pull out every trick for every painting. I have been working with fabric for 8 years or so now and I think I finally have mastered my craft. 




Image submitted by Artist:
"Magic Mermaid Scales"  18"x24" fabric, ribbon, acrylic on canvas, 2011.


(Kasey K.) If you had to think of a slogan that could leave a positive impact for everyone what would your slogan be?

(John Kowalczyk) “Draw like no one’s watching, paint like you’ve never painted, and make art like you don’t need the money.”



(Kasey K.) FILL IN THE BLANK:
Without ART, I would be: (John Kowalczyk) a math teacher, probably geometry.







(Kasey K.) What MUSIC do you listen to while you create?  Top 3 favorite songs right now that get you going!?

(John Kowalczyk)
1. Alligator Tears by Tegan and Sara
2. Gimme the Car by The Violent Femmes
3. You’ll Never Know by Rza


(Kasey K.) What is your ideal activity/thing to do on a SUNNY DAY?  How bout on a RAINY day?

(John Kowalczyk)  Sunny Day- Any outdoor music venue with a hill in front of the stage where I could dance like a willow tree or hulu hoop with a bunch of like-minded beautiful souls.  Rainy Day- I am a sucker for thrift stores and happy hour drinks and apps.








Hope you enjoyed Learning more about John Kowalczyk while checking out his work & having a peak into his studio & process of creation as well as the portrait work in this blog post! 

Very excited to say: Johnny & I have plans already to collaborate on more projects in the near future! I will keep you updated on those for sure! 

If you are interested in Portraits as an Artist or Musician or just for fun or would like to do a studio visit & interview with Kasey K. Photo! Please let me know by Emailing: kasey@kaseykphoto.com

Check out Kasey K. Photo's Facebook Page for more recent work & Updates:


Check out John Kowalczyk Art's Facebook Page too!


And learn more about RedLine Milwaukee Gallery & the amazing ways they involve the local community in Milwaukee, WI at:  http://www.redlineartmke.org/



THANKS AGAIN for checking IN! :) 


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