|
|
John
Jankowski
|
John
Jankowski has always been interested in art. As
early as the third grade, he showed talents in
drawing and, in the fifth grade, John won his first
art contest. His entry for a citywide art contest
depicted underprivileged youth.
In high school, John first got a taste of acrylic
painting in a mini-week course during his Sophomore
year at Weber High School, two full years before he
could take the course as an elective. Already
knowing the skills needed for drawing, he learned
the concepts of acrylics quickly.
|
|
John was asked
by the art teacher to assist the Seniors in their
mural project and quickly proved both his technical
and creative skills. When Junior year rolled
around, he was asked to forego his standard Junior
year drawing class and lead the Seniors' mural
project from start to finish. Three years of mural
work left their indelible mark on Weber High School
until it closed several years ago, and left an
indelible love for painting in John.
After graduation, John began a part-time job with
the Chicago Park District in 1981 and he has been
there ever since. Teaching after school crafts to
children led to teaching acrylic painting to adults
in the evening. John became interested in
watercolor painting when he stumbled upon a pad of
watercolor paper and some children's watercolor
paints while emptying some old cabinets during a
class break. He quickly earned respect as the only
instructor in the Chicago Park District teaching a
watercolors-only class.
In college, John studied design, advertising,
ceramics, and drawing. Promoted to Playground
Supervisor by the Chicago Park District in 1989, he
still insists on teaching several classes each
week. “It‘s the only way to keep doing
what I love to do in a job that doesn’t always
make the best use of my skills,” says John.
“I‘ve never had great administrative
talent.”
Upon retirement as an administrator in eleven more
years, John intends to become a full-time painter.
He draws much of his inspiration from family
property in Algoma, Wisconsin, and that is where he
plans to spend most of his time. It was only in
late 2002 that John has made his first forays into
the public with his artwork. A very successful
exhibit at Chicago‘s Conrad Sulzer Regional
Library was his first solo exhibition ever.
“It was a very exciting opportunity for me.
I‘ve always loved to show people my artwork.
But my paintings have always been such a personal
expression for me, I wouldn’t sell anything to
anyone. As retirement approaches however, there
needs to be a supplement to a city pension."
Thirty-nine paintings were on exhibit, prompting
newspaper articles and even an appearance on
Chicago's cable channel 23 during November of
2002.
As a lifelong resident of Chicago’s northwest side, John was proud to have his work featured in a number of solo exhibitions at the Edgebrook Branch Library and the Merlo Branch Library in 2003. His paintings were also shown at the Liberty Bank for Savings branch in Lincolnwood and the Lincolnwood Bank.
John recalls, "The shows expanded my horizons and the positive feedback I received was very encouraging. It was an honor to exhibit in places such as these.”
Recently, John has sold prints and originals at the Shanty Days celebration in Algoma, Wisconsin, the second weekend of each August and, from that, was invited to exhibit in Algoma’s Wet Whistle show by that show’s jury committee. He is also a member of the Park Ridge Art League and will exhibit his work at the upcoming member’s show in Park Ridge, Illinois.
|
Maple
Sugar
Time
24"
x 36" Framed Size
|
Hand-signed and numbered prints of Cruising, the first lithograph of one of his paintings, have been sold not only by John, but also on eBay, the Internet auctionhouse. His second high-quality lithograph, On the Prowl, was released in early 2003. Recently, he has had a number of his paintings rendered as Gicleé prints, selling them in signed and numbered editions. Note cards, featuring images of his paintings, are also available. John’s work can be found at the Cupola House Gallery in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, as well as the White Street Gallery in the Trolley Barn in Frankfort, Illinois.
Having attended several seminars and absorbed many of the techniques of artist Tom Lynch, John credits his inspiration in watercolors to Mr. Lynch. "Watercolor Rescue was the name of my favorite seminar," John states. "Tom showed us how to save an otherwise overworked painting and capture its essentials." This is a technique John has used well in his classes and also in his own work. "Sometimes you are too close to a painting to see where you need help."
John looks forward to expanding his work into more galleries and shows in the upcoming year. He lives on Chicago‘s northwest side with his wife, Angie, their two children, and their two giant dogs.
|
|
|
|
Watercolor
painting is the use of transparent water-based
pigment on specially prepared watercolor paper.
Watercolor painting utilizes layers of paint on the
paper. The painter has to think "light to dark".
Any areas of the painting that are to be white or a
very light color must be left unpainted throughout
the painting process. Areas that are to be very
dark require multiple layers of color (each layer
is added after the previous layer is
dry).
Watercolor
is perhaps one of the oldest art forms. Since
ancient times pigments have been mixed with water
to color just about anything imaginable, and
watercolor probably has more variations in
technique than any other medium.
John employs a
wide variety of special techniques and effects
ranging from a wet-on-wet technique to salt
applications. About the only type of watercolor
painting that doesn't seem to apply to his style is
transparent, unless it refers to layers of
transparent paint used to deepen existing colors.
One could say that his background in acrylic
painting lends him a thicker (richer) application
of color which ends with a more colorful and
detail- oriented style.
|
|
|
|
To my wife,
Angie:
You are my biggest fan, but also my harshest and
truest critic. I know when I’ve done my best
work because you look for a place to hang it at
home. Thank you for always being there for me,
daring to dream with me and grounding me in reality
when I need it most. I’ll always love you
deeply and look forward to the rest of our lives
together!
To my
children:
Thank you
for sacrificing your father when the mood strikes
me and inspiration hits.
To my mother,
Carol, and late father,
Paul:
More than anyone else, I am a product of what you
made me. Thank you for nurturing my desires in art
and providing me my start. Dad, I wish you could be
here to see the fun stuff!
To
Joyce:
Sometimes when you give something away, it comes
back as more than you could have imagined. Thank
you for your support when I needed it and the
ability to become who I needed to be without you.
I’m glad we’re together again.
To Uncle
Eugene:
Thank you for encouraging me to turn my drawing
talent towards painting all those years ago. I
don't think I would have gone this far without your
well-timed kick in the rear!
To Steve
A.:
You were the only art teacher I ever studied under
who was actually able to teach me something I
hadn't already figured out for myself. Thank you
for your dedication to students who were willing to
learn and many hours of theoretical
discussions.
To my
students:
You challenge me! You inspire me! Thank you for
your trust.
|
John Jankowski
10702 269th Avenue
Trevor, WI 53179
773-416-6701
e-mail at: watercolorsbyjohn@gmail.com
Copyright ©2003-2009, Watercolors by John Jankowski
John Jankowski, All Rights Reserved
|
