We were lucky to catch up with Mike Kornblum recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mike, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I am hoping to build a legacy that my family and grandchildren and future grandchildren will be proud of. I would like to see my paintings and wood turnings passed on to my grandchildren. That I would inspire future generations to become artists. There is no more rewarding career than being an artist.
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.
I was born in 1945 and raised in Brooklyn, New York As a youngster I was always drawing. I would take the “funny papers” out of the newspaper and draw cartoons for hours. I continued to draw through my teenage years. I attended N.Y. City College taking art classes for a short time. I wanted to see our country so I joined the Air Force at seventeen and served in administration for twenty years before retiring in California. I was always working working with my hands in my spare time. I took up oil painting in mid 1960 while stationed in Albuquerque and continued for a couple of years while I was stationed on Wake Island. I had no formal training and got frustrated trying to find a mentor so I stopped painting. My wife and I were raising a family at the same time. I continued to work with my hands with wood and after reading a magazine on wood turning I decided to give it a try. I bought a lathe and tools and improved my skills over the next ten years. I belonged to the Inland Wood Turners in California for many years which greatly helped me improve my skills and had a mentor in Brenda Behrens, a well know wood artist in Southern California. After ten years of part time turning I decided to become a full time wood artist. My wife and I sold our home in Southern California (Riverside area) and moved to her home state of Arkansas. By now our two sons were living on their own. Arkansas being centrally located and a much less cost of living afforded me the opportunity to become a fulltime artist. I treated it as a job (one that I loved) turning 8 hours a day, five days a week to improve my skills. My turnings were one of a kind pieces. I started doing fine art/craft shows around the country. As my work improved I got into better shows making a living and doing what I loved. In 2001 I was informed by the Governor that I was awarded an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Arkansas Arts Council. The University of Arkansas purchased two of my works; one was given to the President of Taiwan and the other to Saudi Arabian Dignitaries. I continued to work with wood for about ten more years. In 2006 I decided to start painting. Working with wood can be hard on your hands and arms over time. I always knew I would start painting again. I sold my wood studio equipment and turned it into a painting studio. When I started to paint I took lesson from the Springfield Art Museum and workshops from well known artists. I love to paint in a representational loose impressionist style. I have participated in many local art shows. I belong to Oil Painters of America and our local Springfield Plein Air group. I paint in studio and Plein Air, a French term meaning “in the open air” I will be turning 80 in Spring of 2025 and although I have slowed down I still love to paint in my studio and outdoors. I paint mainly in oils, but also use, acrylic and gouache.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me the most reward aspect of being an artist if taking an idea in your head and bring it to life. Taking a blank canvas and bringing it to life with a beautiful scene that will bring joy to others. It’s very rewarding when someone purchases a piece with their hard earned money and gives it a special place in their home. Maybe it brings back a memory for them and adds joy to their life every time they look at it. I enjoy purchasing other artist work for that very reason. Some day I will pass on to my family these works for them to enjoy.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Looking back I wish I would have had the time and resources for a formal art education. Drawing is the backbone of painting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mikekornblumart.com
- Instagram: pleinairmike
- Facebook: Mike Kornblum, Springfield, Misssouri
