Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin H.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My interest in art began at an early age by sketching and drawing in charcoal and pencil. Gradually, this interest expanded and became focused in college, where I learned to make pottery on the wheel.
After college, art was placed on hold due to medical school and a career in medicine as a pulmonary and critical care specialist. In 1996, I returned to clay and began to create and sell ceramic vessels, sculptures and tile murals. Seeking additional guidance from other artists, I embarked on a journey to complete the Graduate Certificate Program in Ceramic Art at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland from 2005-2008, part-time, while continuing to practice medicine
In 2013, medical issues (cancer and its treatment) forced my retirement from 30 years of medical practice. Unfortunately, it also caused me to give up over 20 years of making ceramic art. Due to the loss of career and a beloved avocation I struggled to regain a sense of purpose and balance in life. I began making marks on canvas in the fall of 2013. This mark making was done intuitively, and was surprisingly informative and healing, inspiring me to continue painting, and evolved over time to my current representational work.
I am drawn to the colors, shapes, and textures of the world around us. My struggle to overcome health issues taught me the value of the present moment and the fragility of life. My paintings of life, and of objects past and present, highlight our individuality, connectedness, and impermanence, as well as the beauty of the ordinary, encouraging us to be present to our surroundings. The interplay of shadow and light; large planes and angles, and movement, serve to remind us that there is always an alternative perspective to consider.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been very fortunate to have art as a creative outlet. When I was practicing medicine as a pulmonary and critical care specialist, art was a place to expel the stress of medical practice and to interact with non-medical people. For a number of years I also sang with two Twin Cities choral groups: first the Apollo Club male chorus, then the Oratorio Society of Minnesota. I met many wonderful and talented people in this way.
I’ve already mentioned my biggest challenge, a diagnosis of cancer in 2012; fortunately, I remain in remission. While that period was difficult, without it I likely would not have become a full-time artist. Interestingly, in college I seriously considered changing my major to art my junior year, but that seemed impractical and risky to pursue; my diagnosis of cancer lead me to the path I wanted to follow in college. I realized what Adelaide Procter said in the 1860’s: “No star is ever lost we once have seen, We always may be what we might have been.”
My second challenge was dealing with imposter syndrome. Having come from a highly credentialed field like medicine, who was I to call myself an artist? I had 12 hours of ceramics in college and one 3 hour industrial design class. So beginning in 2005 I was a part-time graduate student at Hood College in Maryland for a certificate in ceramic art which I completed in 2008. When I started painting I took community art classes, and workshops online. But classes and certificates don’t cure imposter syndrome. I found a community of artists that accepted me, mentored me, and over time I came to accept myself as an artist. I don’t think I’m cured of imposter syndrome; it’s managed well and only occasionally crops up. For example, when I start a new painting I wonder if I can really pull it off, perhaps the last 50 paintings were just flukes. With time and persistence that thought occurs less frequently.
A challenge all artists face is getting there art out into the world. Over the last 5 years I have participated in many fairs sponsored by The Other Art Fair, a professionally run and wonderful opportunity for emerging artists. My participartion in these events has been crucial to my development as an artist. Because of this exposure I have been fortunate over the last three years to collaborate with Steidel Contemporary, a Lake Worth Beach, FL gallery. With them I have participated in major fine art shows. Success as an artist requires exposure to a wide audience and I am grateful to Steidel and The Other Art Fair for providing that opportunity.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a realist painter, although some would describe my work as hyper-realist; I do not take my work to that extreme. I eliminate what doesn’t serve the composition, I change the color to one that better pleases me from the reference image. I do render the details of my reference material, but tend to de-emphasize what is less important, while paying close attention to the main elements of the composition.
The focus of my current work is my Americana series. As I travel the country for art fairs, vacation, or travel with my wife’s work trips, I look for interesting scenes to paint and take reference photos. I look for mid-century diners, motels, amusement parks, and cafe’s. Places that regardless of our backgrounds we may have experienced and can connect with. Many of us have gone on family road trips, or have a favorite diner, most have been to an amusement park. I strive to elicit a collective memory that serves to bring us together as people and a community.
What matters most to you?
Three things are very important to me as an artist and a person: authenticity, relationship, and empathy.
Authenticity: Authenticity is the key characteristic of being an artist. One must create what is within them to express, and explore those themes. In other words, an artist must follow their own muse. As long as the expression is authentic how that is expressed whether it be non-objective, realism, surrealism, sculpture, writing, or some variant is unimportant. Authenticity is key.
Relationship: For me community and relationship are very important. How we comport ourselves affects the world at large. My friends, my community, and my family are vital to my health and happiness. Our relationships help us grow and remain fully alive and engaged with life.
Empathy: Being able to recognize and understand the thoughts and feelings of other people helps to create better relationships and a better world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.khkart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khkomadina_art/
- Other: https://www.saatchiart.com/khkomadinaart
