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Joe Jurkiewicz is a visual artist whose paintings explore themes of desire, loneliness, anxiety and exaltation. Pulling influences from street art and fashion illustration, he creates perplexing surreal imagery developed in sketchbooks, where he explores new ideas, mark making and surrounding influences. He graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute of May 2016 with a major in Illustration.

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What would you like people to know most about your art? 

That my work comes from my imagination. I find joy and catharsis while creating art and I want people to feel that in some way.

What is your creative process, and what is the most challenging part?  The most rewarding?

My creative process mainly comes from the element of play. I tend to have fun while creating art-not holding to any standards or having any fear of the end result. I simply allow my work to become what it is intended.

From where do you gain inspiration?  

Almost anything and everything. Talking to people, listening to music, playing video games, watching movies and drawing what I see.

What wisdom/insight would you share with your past self if you could?

Haha I would tell myself to draw more and work harder. I was young, lazy and didn’t know that hard work would pay off.

If you could recommend a book, musical artist/track/album, and movie what would they be?

Book I would recommend “start with why” by Simon Sinek. Japanese DJ producer Nujabes. Movie to watch is “Requiem for a Dream”. A must!

Currently the Art Director at The Culture House in Olathe, KS, Ken Dela’s main passion, aside from his own art, is mentoring young artists. He experiments with different media and is stylistically versatile. Whether it’s street art or more detailed portrait work, Dela says, “I am always learning and am forever a student. I feel that the minute you stop learning is the minute you stop growing and improving, not just in your craft, but also in your life.” Dela's work will be on display at the Lackman Library through April 21.

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Introduce yourself and describe your work and the genre you work in.

I am a Kansas City Freelance Artist and also the Art Director at The Culture House in Olathe, Kansas where I love to mentor young artists and watch them grow. When I'm not mentoring our youth, I'm a freelance artist who enjoys seeing what combination of mediums he can put together. My goal in art is to share my vision with the world. I enjoy experimenting with different mediums while using a lot of stencils and shaker cans. I am very versatile with what  I can do, that’s what keeps things interesting, anywhere from a street art style to more detailed portrait style work. 

Talk about the work on view. What would you like people to know about it?

Currently, I am working on a series of paintings which are inspired by quotes, sayings, feelings or advice. With our world today so hectic, crazy, busy and bullyish, I use bright contrasting colors with lines and patterns. I am always hoping to capture the attention of someone racing by; encouraging them to slow down, even if it’s just for a second. I feel if I can touch just one person with one of my paintings, then the painting was successful

What’s the most challenging thing about your creative process?

I am always learning and am a forever student. I feel that the minute you stop learning is the minute you stop growing and improving, not just in your craft, but also in your life. The challenge is too not fall into the trap of complacency but to continue pushing yourself, even on the days you don't want to.

Who are the other artists you look to for inspiration?

I have always been inspired by those who pushed the envelope a bit or figured out how to stand out in the crowd. Some of my influences are Andy Warhol for his ability to take his art, mass produce it and make it affordable for the masses. Romero Britto, who is based out of Miami, for his ability to bring happiness through the big, bright, bold paintings and Rene Magritte for the way he could create these dream like illusion pieces without them looking too over the top.