Today we’d like to introduce you to Bob Lyksett.
Hi Bob, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Stillwater Art Guild Gallery started some 23 years ago under the vision of Randy Raduenz, a local artist born and raised in a Stillwater family. Through the years, his dream grew from a collection of 20 artists to the current 90 artists displayed in the gallery. Randy brought me, photographer Bob Lyksett, on as a partial owner along with 4 other artists/owners, to help run the gallery and manage the day-to-day requirements of maintaining such a fine display of art, I eventually bought out all the owners, approximately 3 years ago and am now the sole owner of the gallery. We are no longer a co-op business model, but still only show artists that are local to the Stillwater area. To date, we show the art of about 90 painters, photographers, jewelers and sculptures, and are one of Minnesota’s largest fine art galleries..
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Speaking as the current owner of the gallery of only 3 years I will say that doing the work of what was the shared responsibilities of 5 owners most definitely has its obvious challenges. The past owners are still showing art in the gallery so they are around if I need a second opinion and have been very helpful in my transition. As far as the behind the scenes of the gallery, I have extensively upgraded the business end with technology, regarding finances and how the artists are paid for the sales of their art work and the tracking of their sales. Consistency in display and presentation from artist to artist has grown, resulting in recognition and compliments from clientele, along with increased sales and exposure to the local community. So far my journey has been the dream of every artist; to own an art gallery, to show not only my own work, but the work of other exceptional artists. Every day, I’m surrounded by beautiful art! What more could you ask for from your job?
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a formally educated photographer with a bachelor’s degree in Photography from Weber State University, Ogden, Utah and also formally studied Fine Art at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. I come from the “film era” as I like to put it, in which black and white photography was the required mainstay for the first two years of my university education. I feel I know black and white rather well and gained that knowledge from studying the style and methods of the great photographer Ansel Adams. After graduation, I went on to television new and eventually print news. I have been fortunate to have a successful career in the sports photography industry covering a number of sports from football, basketball and baseball. I have taught photography in Park City, Utah and Hudson, Wisconsin and am currently organizing a classroom setting within my gallery to continue teaching the art of photography. I have covered the professional rodeo circuit in the Rocky Mountain region for Rodeo News magazine and have been regionally and nationally published for sports and other subject matter. My most recent sports endeavor was covering hockey in the upper Midwest. Moving from the West to the Midwest was, what I thought, a photographic challenge. There are no mountains or red rock deserts to photograph! I soon saw the beauty of this area and fell in love with the “river town” life and geography.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I know it sounds cliche but I stay true to myself. I am proud to say that I only photograph what I want to shoot, I don’t “shoot to sell”, I photograph what I want, if someone likes what I create, then they can buy it. The other lesson comes from the great Outdoor photographer Ansel Adams, actually two bits of advice; “…if you make the effort, you’ll get the shot” and; “…wait. Don’t just shoot one shot of that pretty sunset. wait, it will change and there will be more to photograph.” I have never forgotten these words of advice and sincerely tried to live my photographic career like this, whether it be nature, sports or news photography.
Contact Info:
- Website:BobLyksettPhotography.com
- Instagram: Bob Lyksett Photography
