We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chuck Kovacic. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chuck below.

Hi Chuck, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

When we deny that which is within us, unhappiness is often the result. If I hadn’t been a creative artist any path to pursue a meaningful and complete life would have been extremely limited. I have had jobs that required no creativity whatsoever: a janitor, carwash attendant, truck driver, ship deck hand, flag man on a construction crew. Yet, in each of these pursuits, moments of reflection and awareness that even the simplest and most mundane of tasks brought pleasure in the completion of a job well done. Creativity allowed me the awareness that although other pursuits awaited me. that ultimately, creativity is where one finds it. I was lucky enough to have an awareness of having options and the great good sense not to judge those that might not.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The pursuits of an artist are typically solitary ones. In creating a painting I do so without any expectation that I might be lucky enough to find a buyer for it. It’s a joy whenever a sale is conferred upon me. In contrast, I have artist friends who have followed an artistic path bordered by the safety of self imposed “artistic guardrails” to inspire the content of their creations. Such parameters can lead to a measure of success but impose their own constraints of content and overall desirability. When the creative process eliminates risk it often does so at the expense of integrity. The greater accomplishment is therefore the unsolicited acknowledgement from a valued peer that knows these differences. Recently, a noted and acclaimed painter named a painting after me in which he had added my image within an expansive landscape. For me, this unexpected affirmation reminded me that the work that we create is not totally unnoticed. My patrons are passionate about their collections and whenever I become a part of their pursuits I am humbled by this inclusionary process.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Every pursuit can become one of creativity. I have an accountant friend that writes code and programing to enable his firm’s clients the ability to fulfill their agendas. What others might dismiss as the mere “juggling of the books” to save monies, becomes a task that requires insight and interpretive thought. The essence and primary requirement of creativity. I tease a multi-property owner friend that as he fusses over his apartment rehabs that he has also developed into a rather sophisticated interior decorator and landscaper. Within each of us resides elements of creativity that manifest themselves in unexpected ways. When it is allowed to flourish a great manner of things can develop and flourish.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

To be one’s best self must be measured against one’s own abilities. Each of knows and should appreciate their limitations and where they might be expanded upon. You must know when to say “yes” but perhaps more importantly, when to say “no.” To continually position oneself to maximize their talents and abilities is the most worthy of goals. Such a journey is never finished. On his deathbed, Michelangelo despaired at the unfairness of life that he was just beginning to understand the process of creativity. Such disparities can be daunting. While my talents are in no measure equal to his, my dedication can be. While aspiration and the willingness to pursue and engage it can be a process of frustration it can also offer great rewards.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: chuckkovacicarts.com

Image Credits
Painting programs created with and for the California Art Club.