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Visual Language
December 2014 Volume 3 No. 12
contemporary fine art
David Kalbach
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Artist Interview with David Kalbach
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Artist Interview with David Kalbach
When did you realize you loved art and wanted to be an artist? When I was a child I loved to draw pictures of airplanes, cars, boats and people. My father, while not a practicing artist, was very proficient with artistic skills as was my grandfather. They set an example or had a skill level which I desired to emulate. Who has been your mentor, or greatest influence to date? The most influential mentors have passed away. Louise Selin in high school (basic design), Bill Bacus (graphite and design) in Community College and Howard Warshaw (acrylics) at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Later in life, Margot Schulzke (pastel) and Nita Engle (watercolor). Who is another living artist you admire and why? While I am not a “wild life artist” Robert Bateman is inspirational in his use of acrylic and his devotion to wildlife and conservation. He has a “life” ethic which sets a great example for others to follow. I also enjoy the works of Larry Rivers (who passed away in 2002). What is your favorite surface to create work on or to work with? Describe it if you make it yourself. Arches 140# Cold Press and Hot Press paper and board for water media, Rieves, & PastelMat for pastel and Hardboard or Linen Canvas for oil and acrylics painting. What are your favorite materials to use? No favorites. Do you have a favorite color palette? My base color upon which I depend is PAYNES GREY. The balance of my basic pallet consists of French Ultramarine Blue, Brown Madder, Antwerp Blue, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Bismuth Yellow, Aureolin Yellow, Cadmium Blue, Burnt Sienna and Cadmium Red Medium. Other hues are used as needed for a particular project. In pastels, I prefer hard pastels for initial work and finish off with Great American, Terry Ludwig, or Schmincke soft pastels. How often do you work on your artwork? How many hours a week? This would be difficult to calculate. Working is a matter of focus. When you’re on it can go on over 8 hours a day until you finish….but then concerns about client expectations can become more than a bump in the road as you try to deal with a solution and “artist block” and refrain from starting a new project. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for? Not art. I want to be remembered for the successes of my children.
http://www.kalbacharts.com/
Hornet Sunset
http://www.kalbacharts.com/ Gasing Up
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Artist Interview with David Kalbach
U2 Gittens
http://www.kalbacharts.com/
There are many culprits that can crush creativity, such as distractions, self-doubt and fear of failure. What tends to stand in the way of your creativity? The mystery and concerns about meeting the expectations of others . How do you overcome these obstacles? I still struggle to find the means and ways to attack these obstacles. What are your inspirations for your work? The passions relating to the activities of those in the famiy, their children and friends. There is a special interest in the activities of those who have dedicated their lives to others. That is probably one of the main reasons I have taken up the task of painting friends of my son who are active in the military. What is your favorite way to get your creative juices flowing? I have two ways I address creativity. The first is through association with other working artists where you can spend quality time reviewing ideas and philosophies associated with esthetics and addressing problems which I want to address or explore – whether design issues or other messages one would wish to address through their art. The second method involves reviewing works of authors addressing issues, photographs which I have taken and added to my file of “scrap” and working on thumbnails set to music. Which work of yours is your favorite? This is difficult. Right now my favorites would be: 1. Navy Male (watercolor, a portrait of a navy pilot) 2. U2, Gittins ( watercolor, a portrait of a U2 pilot, Justin Gittins) 3. Contemplation (oil, two life figures) see web site, Figures section. http://www.kalbacharts.com/
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In the Pattern
Artist Interview with David Kalbach
05 Filler UP
Sea Stallion Refueling
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Artist Interview with David Kalbach
Go Shawk
http://www.kalbacharts.com/
Getting to know you Q&A What is your favorite color in your closet? Blues What book are you reading this week? Ben Carson. M.D. author. His book ONE NATION Do you have a favorite television show? BLUE BLOODS or sports – Premier Soccer What is your favorite food? This is difficult to answer as my favorite tends to change depending on the available menu. My favorite meal can be found in causine of Central Mexico, Northern Italy and Thailand. When I cook, my favorite fare would be a seafood pasta. Shrimp, mussels, calamari, and scallops sauted in a white wine bisk along with garlic, green onions, red and yellow peppers, some jalapeno and habanaro, sun dried tomatoes and broccoli. What color sheets are on your bed right now? Cadmium Red Light bottom sheets with Ivory Top Sheet. What are you most proud of in your life? Our children and the road upon which they are traveling. Who would you love to interview? Barak Obama. Though it would probably pretty hostile. George Bush. Do you have a passion or hobby other than painting? Yes. What is it? Soccer. I coached soccer while my children were growing. We were pretty successful so I continue to enjoy professional games. I am also the Treasurer of the Pastel Society of the West Coast. I enjoy working with other artists in pushing programs to promote the exucation of future artists. Who would you love to paint? Just about anyone with real character. How about Obama? Perhaps Ben Carson or Dennis Prager. Just about any person except children. (I love kids – it’s just to difficult to get them to sit still. If you were an animal what would you be and why? Probably a dog. Would enjoy the companionship with a dog lover. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take three things, what would they be? My spouse, My art materials, and some clothes. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Most any where. Love Germany, Northern Italy, England, Northern California, New Mexico, San Diego, Life is wonderful
http://www.kalbacharts.com/
kalbacharts.com