We were lucky to catch up with Kenneth Schweiger recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kenneth, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
My decision to work professionally as an oil painter came later in life. It was not always something I had planned to do, or even felt qualified to become. It was the kindness and generosity of the teaching staff at the Minneapolis Atelier that created the right environment. As I moved from an evening class once a week, into further and further studio projects; the Atelier became my studio. These instructors are working painters, and would critique projects once a week. Despite my age, and ability, I was held to rigorous standards, and was expected to treat this as any other professional opportunity. When I was asked to consider critiquing other student work, roles were flipped. I was the face that incoming students met. And I see the relief on their faces when mistakes are not met with personal judgements, but rather corrections in painting techniques.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As an oil painter in Saint Paul, Minnesota, I “clock in” at 9am Mon – Fri. Saint Paul has historic, redbrick buildings downtown alongside the Mississippi River front that went out of use during the 1970s and 1980s. ArtSpace, a non profit, developed these buildings into live and work studios for painters, musicians, sculptors, and photographers. During the current colder months, much of the work focuses on in studio paintings. Still life, figure, and portrait. Teaching classes, and working in groups helps sustain the creative work, and putting events on the calendar for Spring and Summer gives us a deadline. Upcoming this April 2024 is the Spring Lowertown Saint Paul Art Crawl. This is an open studio event throughout the neighborhood that invites the public to come check out art. After the winter, everyone is feeling Spring fever, ready to go outside and enjoy the sun. My work is inspired by the woodblock prints of Hokusai (the Great Wave) and the paintings of Itto Jakuchu (Samurai Champloo). Contemporary cartoons/Anime and Manga from Japan influenced my drawing style. A deeper dive into traditional painting forms got me curious about making formal compositions. Japan, as a country of creative design, thoroughly inspires me, and I try to visit when possible. The old masters of the Renaissance are another point I return too, as well as the 19th Century painters John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla. Besides these visual artists, I am smitten with the guitar! Whethe it be the electrified tone of Jimmy Page or Jimi Hendrix, the Jazz of Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club quintet, or Nino Jero’s Bulerias, the guitar gets me amped!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Find a supportive community. When we have skilled instructors, enthusiastic peers, our mission becomes clear. It’s a tremendous blessing to discover our creative aspirations. I found it helpful to temper them with persistence. I was distracted and still am, I worried if I am good enough to succeed. I had an instructor remind me that there are many ways to succeed, but one sure way to fail. And that’s to quit. As long as we continue, we grow and that accrues over the years into something wonderful. Lastly, to be patient. Michaelangelo is quoted as saying patience is true genius. Our culture in the US demands that we produce work rapidly, and often, for a painting to meaningfully develop, it may take a couple months.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking for painters, galleries, and residencies to collaborate with in creating new paintings. If there is anyone interested in the type of paintings I am making, or has thoughts on how to expand their impact, please contact me. My website is:
www.kennethschweiger.com
hit me up on the contact page よろしくお願いします。
Ken
ケン
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kennethschweiger.com
- Instagram: kennethschweiger
- Linkedin: Kenneth Schweiger Fine Art
