Meet Richard Klekociuk and be inspired
The process of creating my art is the greatest joy I get from being an artist. Selling my art is a bonus, but not my ‘reason for being’.
If I relied on selling my art as my sole source of income, I doubt that I’d get any joy from creating it. The chances are that I would become a ‘supermarket painter.’ The therapeutic value of art is well known and has gained immense popularity in recent decades, and rightly so.
Just ‘doing’ art, for whatever the reason, takes me to a ‘happy place’, one that can only be shared with one’s soul.
I always wanted to be both an art teacher and an artist.
I attained the first through the Tasmanian School of Art. The latter came some five years later when I joined the Tasmanian Independent Artists Group and displayed examples of my work on a regular basis.
Time passed and my interest in art grew to the point where I took early retirement from full-time art teaching in 2006 and became a full-time artist.
What it means to be an Artist
Being an artist means not only working for yourself but being a witness to your own ideas and passions becoming a reality.
It’s not all ‘doing’ art, there’s the planning and research that I find most stimulating and indeed vital to feed my ‘creative mill.’ Having one’s own studio is essential.
It’s your space, your world, a place full of ideas, an environment full of possibilities that demands one’s enthusiasm, motivation and discipline.
A Love for Coloured Pencils Art
I have worked with a broad range of art mediums but find the greatest joy (and challenge) with coloured pencils and to a lesser extent, digital drawing.
Following a decade of painting I spent several years with oil and soft pastels before ‘discovering’ the versatility of coloured pencils in 1986.
I’m still an avid fan but from time to time I like to challenge myself by delving into the world of digital art.
The Joy of Teaching
I enjoy teaching coloured pencil workshops/retreats and find them most rewarding.
I make it a point to teach individuals in group situations, something I had great success with in my days as a college art teacher.
Sharing one’s passion with others and seeing what they create and share during workshop sessions makes me realise how important the role of an art teacher can be.
One needs to face challenges, take risks and most importantly have an enquiring mind, passion and self-discipline.
Constant Tasmanian Inspiration
Tasmania has so much to offer in respect of art inspiration.
My subject matter, both realistic and abstract, is sourced directly from the Tasmanian landscape.
It’s not simply a matter of taking photos and painting them. I constantly return to my areas of interest to note the changes that have occurred and I spend time reading about their history.
I get to know my subjects deeply and try to show my respect for them in my art.
Allow yourself to grow as an artist
One’s artistic skills should develop over time with practice, but this alone won’t see you ‘grow’ as an artist.
You need to see the works of others, study art history, visit exhibitions, study/learn techniques by enrolling in some classes/workshops.
One needs to face challenges, take risks and most importantly have an enquiring mind, passion and self-discipline.
About the Artist
Originally from Hobart, I graduated from the Tasmanian School of Art in 1971, and is based in Launceston, Tasmania. I’ve been been a practicing artist, teacher and art judge for more than 50 years.
Coloured pencil has been my preferred medium since 1986 and I have won over 50 awards, often in open company both in Australia and overseas. I have been a Glover finalist twice and a finalist in the Bay of Fires Art Prize on four occasions.
In 2014 I was awarded Master Pencil Artist Status by the Canadian Pencil Society and again in 2017, on this occasion by the Coloured Pencil Community of Australasia.
My art is inspired by the Australian landscape. Mark making, weathering, ‘landscape memory’, decay, pattern, climate change, colour and shape being of particular interest.
Find Richard on Facebook and Instagram, Redbubble and visit his website for news about events, classes, works and exhibitions and blog.
Artist Profile Stories
I want there to be more arts and crafts in our world, in our communities and in our own lives. Hopefully you’ve found this blog post inspiring and interesting.
So I’m creating, with your help, Art Trails Tasmania, allowing all of us who feel this love to create more of it.
And the Art Trails Tasmania blog is a key part of making this happen, telling the stories of members. It’s about what they have happening with workshops and classes, exhibitions, open studio trails, where to find their outlets, markets, fairs and festivals so you can shop their creations as well as their art and craft retreats.
Also being shared are the supporters of our artists, the galleries, shops, cafes, art societies and groups, places to stay and artist in residencies.
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