This coming Friday is my gallery opening at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center. My gallery will be on display in the downstairs exhibition hall. If because of work or you are out of town feel free and stop in anytime. It runs now through August 19, 2017. More information can be found on my artist facebook page as well as pertinent information for the gallery (https://www.facebook.com/BrianKrecikVisualArtist/)
While working for an insurance company in a career as a web application engineer I had the fortune to visit Zurich, Switzerland. While this was a business trip we were allowed a week of travel allowing us to see the countryside, meet the people, enjoy the food, and to take in the scenery. While I no longer code for a living professionally, this was an interesting part of my life as I came to appreciate time and how, while working 60 – 80 hour weeks, one can quickly find time passing them by ever so quickly. It was at this time that I decided all those years ago back in 2000 to go back to school. While I made a few attempts both at my MBA in business and my Masters in Computer Science none of them really felt like they were for me. I have always found myself attracted to art, nature, and have strong beliefs in doing something that makes both a difference and that can help others.
Back in 2015, I was approached by Danielle McClelland from the Buskirk-Chumley theater for an advertising and promotional piece that would help showcase the signature drinks during the contest. I met Danielle at a local art council meeting held hosted by our local city government. She pitched to me the idea real quickly and I was promised more details. Over the next couple weeks I contacted the three bars and the bartenders – Emmie O’Connor from the Malibu Grill, Andrew Wind from the Uptown Cafe and Nick Matio from C3 Bloomington.
In today’s world of always connected, always on of the digitized world it is no surprise that digital imagery at the consumer level has once more bled into the realm normally reserved for the “professional”. In a field where it was normally prohibitively expensive and only available to those willing to invest a lot of time and money into their craft, people’s access to digital cameras has helped to open the world of photography to a whole new demographic that wouldn’t normally have access to or use of the medium. This coupled with the integration of camera phones and social networking websites, the openness and availability of images has made it accessible to virtually anyone able to afford a cell phone.
A colleague of mine, Caroline Thompson, recently put me to task on a challenge. The challenge was to create a black and white image, post this to social media, and challenge a fellow artist/friend to do the same. Perhaps in some small way this is to help promote and ask other to take part in creating art in a medium that is accessible to all – our phones. Well, unfortunately my phone was out of commission as it was recharging yet I did not let this hold me back (nor should it you, the reader.) If you only have a phone, or small point and shoot camera, or perhaps a dslr get out and share your vision with others and tell a bit about what inspired you to create the image.
The following image was one that I felt a deep connection with. Now in my mid 40’s I find myself torn between two worlds – the one I remember from my youth where I reveled in near perfect vision and the one in which I now live. Gone are the days of reading without a care as today I find it a challenge. It is the following image that I am sharing as it is a reminder that life isn’t about being perfect. Rather it is about acknowledging that each of us at one point in our lives need help. Yet it takes awareness and willingness to reach out and ask for it to make change happen. With that, I present my image, Vision-less.
Following is a link to one of many stories that I have worked for Bloom Magazine. Working with the owners in creating this portrait with both a tight deadline and no scouting shows that one has to be creative with the visual space one has to work with. When I first walked into their offices that were tightly packed with people working it was this wall beckoned to me. With the low saturation and darker colors it offered contrast that really helped evolve this image. After some scrambling to move boxes around, a bench that was located elsewhere and moving their record labels to the wall we were all set to start the shoot. We tried a couple of other locations, including in their warehouse, however I felt this location, simple with a nice punch of color and contrast, really helped to set the stage. Enjoy!
This past year has been an interesting year. I held a charity event this past summer that was held at A Summerhouse Inn here in Bloomington where I and the owners of the Inn raised money for Stepping Stones. (Stepping Stones is a transitional housing and supportive services for youth, ages 16-20, here in Bloomington, IN.) In addition to this event where I worked to compose portraits for graduates and their families, I also held a free portrait session at Mathers Museum at Indiana University for IU’s Theater, Drama, and Contemporary Dance students. I have also kept busy with various assignments at Bloom Magazine and Visit Bloomington and my fine art thesis project titled, “Hidden in Plain Sight”. All of this and more I will begin to discuss over the coming months as I update and share content with you – my readers and visitors.
Now that Indiana’s cold snowy months are behind us I can finally shed the countless layers of clothing that I wore to stay warm. To each and everyone I extend a wish for a fabulous Spring. While I am still busy with the aforementioned projects I still look forward to the chance to working with students and families from Indianapolis and Bloomington. Over the coming weeks I will start to share some of my projects and update my website portfolio with new work.
In the meantime, if you or someone you know needs images for their business or you would like to update your portrait contact me to set up a free consultation.
Warmly,
Brian Krecik
Following are just a few of the images that came out of the portrait session for IU’s Department of Theater, Drama, and Contemporary Dance. Included is a portrait of Nemanja Ostoich, a PhD. Candidate at the Jacob School of Performing arts and whose studies in Spanish Classical guitar is a pleasure to enjoy.
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