We were lucky to catch up with Michael Kulick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I never went to art school or had a desire to. Growing up I would just study on my own the brush strokes and color pallets of some of my favorite artists. I didn’t want to study under a certain set of rules and guidelines in my art. On the flip side there are basic things you must know to go forward in becoming a painter. Once you have that down though, I just wanted to follow my own curiosity and discover things in my own way. In doing that, your unique style imerges. There is no speeding up the learning process I think. It takes endless hours, dedication and the willingness to focus on what you’re shooting for. Being a painter is a very lonely thing. An important skill to develop is to grow thick skin in taking criticism. The more original you are, the more people reacting to your work might have a negative response which can mess with your head. Aside from that, I think it’s important to always push yourself forward into an uncomfortable situation with the paint. Trying new things, as difficult and foreign as it may be, is the only way to potentially discover a style of working you may not have thought of before. The greatest obstacle that could ever stand in your way is yourself. The greatest way to grow as an artist is to stay disciplined and respect yourself and your vision.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I think one of the main problems with the art world today is a focusing on the artist and not the art. Knowing where I worked at 17 isn’t important. Everyone looking at a work of art has to know the story and the meaning. Once you start filling in all those answers it takes away from the work itself I feel. Even defining one work I’ve done or one style I work in puts me into a box. I would rather let each individual piece speak for itself and mean whatever it means to each individual viewer. Basically I’ve always been a painter my whole life. I can’t imagine a time in my life I wasn’t making or thinking about painting or creating in some fashion. I sell my oil paintings in person at different trade shows around the country and online through my website. I’m proud of the business I’ve built, that I can support my family through my art, but more importantly, I’m proud of the reactions I see when people see my work. And I think it’s important to remember that it’s not about me, it’s about the work, and, really, anyone can do this job if they’re dedicated enough. I have no formal art or business training, just a drive to create and the knowledge that I wouldn’t be as happy doing anything else.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal is to just create work that excites me. If people connect with it in anyway, that’s a great feeling. I just want to create beautiful images and to continue to do so.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Connecting with people through my work is the most rewarding feeling. Filing people with joy or sadness with just some paint on canvas. Selling my art is great, but nothing beats the feeling of moving people with my art. When someone looks at my work and tears fill their eyes or they tell me how a piece I’ve made connects them to their own experience or story, that’s the best feeling in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michaelkulickartworks.com
• Instagram: Michaelkulickartwork