Meet Jerry Kirk

We were lucky to catch up with Jerry Kirk recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jerry, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I’m not sure that it’s my “purpose,” but I’m pretty sure that my reason for being is to make art. At a very young age, I discovered that making art and the joy that my creations gave others brought me happiness. Even as a child, I needed an outlet, a way to express myself, and being an artist provided that. I was fortunate to have been born with some skills and a vibrant imagination, and these offered me a path forward toward the kind of work that offered a mental sanctuary and escape from the mundane.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I grew up in Northern Virginia where I showed talent and desire to become an artist at a very young age. My first professional job as an artist was right out of high school as an editorial cartoonist for a small local newspaper. From there I went on to study commercial art in college followed by jobs in advertising and marketing as a graphic designer and art director. At the age of 3o, I took up painting seriously and that has been the primary focus of my art ever since. My work has won multiple awards and my paintings exhibited in galleries throughout the country. They are also included in several corporate collections and many private. Themes and subject matter for my art alternate between narrative images and expressionist scenes of nature.

As an author, I have published poetry, children’s books, and essays in various publications. I recently finished writing a memoir that I’m currently in the process of editing.
I feel very fortunate to have the ability and option to express myself through different mediums.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The ability to learn and adapt quickly, having some skill in most visual mediums, and being well-read all played a role in my journey as an artist. There were several key instances in my career when I accepted jobs for which I had no experience out of necessity and the desire to learn. I was offered those jobs based on my talent in other related areas, the assumption being that I would be a quick learner, and, fortunately for me, I am. Those jobs propelled me on to other, better positions.
Having artistic skills in one visual medium allowed me to grasp the intricacies of others, and the more skilled I became at various mediums, the more employment opportunities became available.
I’ve always been a voracious reader, and my love of such has kept me informed, constantly learning new tricks and techniques, and knowledgeable about the industries in which I’ve worked.

My advice for those just starting careers in the visual arts would be to keep an open mind, not be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone (because that’s where you learn and grow), and stay informed and knowledgeable about the industries in which you want to work so that as they grow and change, so can you.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing that my parents did for me was recognize my talent at an early age and encourage me to pursue a career in the arts, or to, at least, not discourage that pursuit in any way. From a very young age, I was always provided with whatever materials I needed to be creative and given the space and time to express myself through both the visual arts and writing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jerrykirk.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerrykirkcreations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jerrykirkart/

Image Credits

All images ©Jerry L. Kirk