Chicagology 101: #21. Walter A. Fydryck lets The Art move you.
THROUGH THE CREATIVE EYES OF…
ASK: Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
‘America’s Premier Eventologist’
& A Chicago Resident since 1974…
A LIVELY DISCUSSION FOCUSED ON:
-- The Top Ten Art Galleries in Chicago.
-- Spotlighting Chicago’s Master: Walt A. Fydryck, as a Chica-GO-an on The GO! ARTiculating ART through The Eyes of a Techno-Fine Art Advertising Genius.
-- ‘Gangsters & Gurus’ and ‘Goin’ Greek!’
PART 1: ART for The Sake of ART
‘Art-Smart’ has become a general Catch Phrase that sums up the Magnitude Art has taken and played in The Heartland by influencing the Lives of so many People who reside here as well as those who visit from other Locations. Chicago is indeed ripe and blessed with Talent as We comprise One of the Top Three Art Centers (including Music) in the entire USA and rightly so. To our East lies New York City. To our West lies Los Angeles. You can’t get to either/or without crossing into and checking out: Chicago.
“Refueling your Self and your Plane are inseparable in Chicago.”
Quote of: ASK
Friday, March 23, 2007 – 10:44 AM CST
ESTABLISHING THE ABCs of ART per ASK:
Although (most) Art is pretty and interesting to look at and study, the Process of what sells (as Art is a Business) takes on a serious Role. Unfortunately, everything that is framed isn’t sold.
CRITICAL CRITERIA:
A). Some framed Pieces should not be framed or even created in the First Place.
B). It takes more than Canvas stretched across Four Wooden Boards, a Hammer and Nails to become a First Place Winner in The Art World.
C). It takes more than Talent to become a First Place Winner in The Art World.
D). Everything that is painted doesn’t find itself in a Gallery. Every Artist that strives to excel in his ‘Chosen Passion’ is not discovered and lauded for his or her Efforts.
There are Ups and Downs (INs and OUTs) in The Art World as there are Ebbs, Flows and Tidal Waves in the Stock Market. Taking Stock of the Winners in this Game is not necessarily an Indicator of what’s the most popular.
ART is as subjective as The Person(ality/ies) who create it;
to the ones who sell it;
to the ones who buy it; and
to the ones who write about it.
We all have our own Likes and Dislikes.
What is IN Today could be OUT Tomorrow.
What is IN this Morning could be OUT this Afternoon.
In the West, We’re living in an expendable Society where Objects are tossed as easily as a Baseball. This also includes Objets d’Arts.
One Sculpture could be chiseled in Soapstone.
Another identical to it could be chiseled in a Semi-Precious Stone.
Surprises in Art happen as often as hemlines rise and fall in the Fashion Industry. Being subjective as it is, my Likes in Art are different from my Mother’s whose Preferences are different from my Grandmother’s Favorites whose were different from my Great Grandmother’s.
Being on the same Page or Canvas is not something that is found genetically in Familial DNA.
“It is what it is,” states former Gallery Owner, Robert E. Hofstadter of Ancient Echos.
By keeping those Standards in mind, it’s not hard to find Art Galleries in Chicago displaying Varieties of Art that range from ‘Age-old Pieces’ to Masters to Modern Art back to Primitive Art to Found Art to Abstract Creations to Graffiti Art to Derivations between and beyond.
The Three Premises used in Today’s Chicagology: 101 ® is that the Gallery is:
1. One I (have) visited;
2. One that has lasted more than 10 years through a tumultuous Art Cycle; and
3. One that represents Quality Works that I appreciate.
Therefore: The Top Ten Chicago Art Galleries1 that have survived the Ups and Downs of a sluggish and recessionary Economy to come out in ‘The Lead’ are:
1. David Leonardis – 1346 North Paulina & 217 West Huron – 773-278-3058
2. Fly By Nite Gallery – 714 North Wells – 312-337-0264
3. Granville Gallery – 6200 North Broadway – 773-764-1919
4. Hilligoss – 520 North Michigan – 312-755-0300
5. Judy A. Saslow Gallery – 300 West Superior – 312-943-0530
6. Marx Saunders Gallery, Ltd. – 230 West Superior – 312-573-1400
7. Perimeter – 210 West Superior – 312-266-9473
8. Printworks, Ltd. – 311 West Superior – 312-664-9407
9. Rhona Hoffman – 312 North May – 312-455-1990
10.Wooden Gallery – 1007 North Wolcott – 773-342-250
FOR THOSE INSPIRED: For My Readers who are interested in attending a prestigious Art School in Chicago, have We got Art Schools for you! That List includes:
1. American Academy of Art – 332 South Michigan – 312-461-0600
2. Art Institute of Chicago – 111 South Michigan – 312-443-3600
3. Columbia College Chicago – 600 South Michigan – 312-663-1600
4. Illinois Institute of Art – 350 North Orleans – 312-280-3500
5. Palette & Chisel Art Academy – 1012 North Dearborn – 312-642-4400
PART 2: Chica-GO-ans on The GO! ®
“The Who’s Who In Chicago & What They’re Doing”
Spotlighting: WALT A. FYDRYCK
Motto: “Don’t touch The Art, let The Art touch you!”
The leading Three Premises used to choose Today’s Chica-GO-ans on The GO! ® Artist are:
1. I know (of) The Artist;
2. This Personality’s Artwork, Passion and Career have lasted more than 30 years through a Tumultuous Global Art Cycle; and
3. This Artist represents Quality Works that I appreciate; therefore, imprinting a new and lovely Style on and for My Hometown, Chicago, furthering its Role as a Leader in The World Arts.
ENTER: WALT A. FYDRYCK
BLOGGER’s NOTE: This written Passage (in the order as presented) is exactly what expired when WALT and I met on Friday, March 16 to talk about his Art.
The WALT A.FYDRYCK
- The Hotels by City Interview -
A Lively & Insightful Discussion with WALT A.FYDRYCK demonstrating ‘How the Art Moves You.’
‘Behind The Scenes’ with WALT A. FYDRYCK
“I am primarily a self-taught Artist. Of course, there have been times over the years when I have sought Instruction. My technique has evolved over time, experience is factor and experimentation and a belief in surrendering to my own Muse.” 1
Interview of: Friday, March 16, 2007 from 10 AM – 11:45 AM
“It’s been a wild year so far,” WALT said as he approached our table at the Starbucks Café in the Anderson District of Chicago. It almost seemed as if he had this comment staged, but having known WALT for about 12 years, he does juggle more than the average Artist does because his Art transcends.
“I just got through with this Retrospect,” he continued as he handed his 8-page Curriculum Vitae to me. Always carrying a Packet of 4 X 6 inch colored Photographs of his latest Creations, it’s not hard to see the Extent of Work that WALT has created in his Decades of Artistic Production.
As I studied each Photo, the Images depicted an Artistic Theme that was densely packed and saturated in Color carefully enveloping and folding over the Faces of his Characters. For the most part, ‘Characters’ appear as a loosely written Story Book Term used more often in describing an Author than an Artist. However, when a Viewer analyses WALT’s Works, they will instantly see that each Piece is a distinct Conversation(al) Piece that triggers a Reaction of wanting to know more about what is happening ‘behind The Scene(s).’
As a regular Participant and ‘Character’ on Chicago’s Illustrious Art Scene, WALT stated he recently moved his Studio (where he worked for 40 years) to a new Location that gave him the Opportunity to catalog and arrange his vast Collection of Vintage Art, Sketches, Drawings, Ideas and Concepts he had stashed and stored away. No matter how rough and tough Moving is, the Bottom Line is: The Mover gets the rare Chance to see and realize what he/she has produced. ‘Growth’ and seeing the Progress and Strides made rate as a gleaming Artistic Achievement.
THE DEFINITIONS OF ‘MOVE’:
“What’s interesting about all this –the Studio Move – is that I totally reorganized - so it’s a structured thing,” WALT explained. This Self-Realization sprang from his unexpected Move due to unforeseen and extenuating Circumstances. This culmination found him in his current State and Status of being an Award-Winning Artist in Chicago, the 3RD largest Art Market in the USA.
Between the upheaval of finding a new Studio; moving and ‘restructuring’ as WALT explains, he premiered at an Art Gallery in Lincolnshire (a Suburb northwest of Chicago proper). Being a smashing success there, he was asked to return to conduct a Slide Lecture for Three (3) Classes (comprised of 3 One-Hour Talks) on Friday, March 23 in front of his Exhibit. “How cool is that!” is what his eyes beamed as he explained what lied ahead in his immediate Future.
The famous Contemporary Art Workshop2 (an Institution for over 50 years in Chicago where WALT created his Art for 40 years in the same Studio Space) is located in a prestigious Lincoln Park Neighborhood of Chicago where Real Estate Taxes continuously rise beyond ‘The Affordability Mark.’ Undoubtedly, the Proverbial Phrase: ‘Starving Artist’ took root here.
Since Gentrification began encompassing Chicago in the 1960s, this Circumstance has caused heated debates in City Hall and within Artistic Circles. The Outcome has:
always been marked by a constant ‘Migration’ of the Chicago Artist to seek Studio Space further ‘north and west;’
always being ‘driven out’ by Real Estate Developers who would rather condo-ize the Area for ‘big profit and financial gain’ than to appreciate and nurture The Works of the City’s Artistry and Talent.
This, of course, has proven to be a constant Struggle, Effort and Heartache (as well as Headache) for those Artists and Craftsmen who wish to continue producing, creating and following their Dream.
REACHING BEYOND ONE’s POTENTIAL: To capture the last days there in his Studio, WALT video-taped the Activities where his Art Career began. With sporadic help, he completed the Move in record time – in only 15 days. Due to (t)his Move, WALT was able to assemble a stirring, provocative and galvanizing yet educational Slide Series that, undoubtedly, has Documentary Value for future WALTerian Projects.
By producing and putting this inspiring Slide Lecture Presentation together for the Students at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, WALT elaborates: “It’s a Method of reviewing all The Art throughout the Decades as to where I’m at now.”
“IS IT ART OR IS IT ARTLESS?”
WALT has also been affiliated with the David Leonardis Galleries located both in River North and in Bucktown/Wicker Park (for over a decade). Leonardis is one of Chicago’s pre-eminent Pioneer and Avant Gard Art Dealers (that has withstood the test of time when other Galleries toddled under the weight of a Recessionary 1990s Decade). Whereby WALT leads the Way in providing Leonardis with Cutting Edge Art that clearly separates Art from the Qualitiless and lackluster Works that far too many Contemporary Art Dealers are peddling.
WALT’s current Studio is now at The Art Colony, an Industrial Building that is suited for 22 Artists. Being totally private and with a high ceiling, WALT moved in 5 foot cabinets hoisted on to the top of other 5 foot Cabinets in order to accommodate and accurately keep an accounting of The Decades of Artwork he has produced to date. It is here where he can bury himself away to visualize, create and advance New Concepts and facilitate his New Art Contributions for 2007 and beyond.
BACK TO THE CORE & ROOTS:
Although the Advertising Game gave WALT the ‘Kick’ and Opportunities he needed as a young Artist in Chicago to grow, WALT painted and worked at Institutions Magazine, a Restaurant Service Magazine before going into the Army for six months. Upon his return, he landed a Job at Allan Anderson. As magnetizing as his Art is, WALT’s Foray into The Art World was equally as fascinating.
Starting his Career in the Advertising Field, he realized Ad(vertisement)s caught the Viewer’s Attention much like a unique Painting grabbed the Consumer’s Eye. However, WALT began in Advertising when Advertising was Advertising. Those Days are now forever gone, never to be repeated. A shortly-lived Era, with the Entry of Computer Graphics Programs the Course of Big Business was to change radically. At first, everybody jumped on the Bandwagon --- (even your next door neighbor) --- thinking a Computer Graphics Programs could instantly transform them into a bona fide Artist. Perhaps, if your Name was Guggenheim or Rockefeller, it would ‘weigh in.’ Unfortunately, this caused a stagnating Dilemma in The Art World. With this excessive influx of No-Talent gutting The Art Scene, it took much more Time for ‘Real Talent’ to rise to The Top. Simultaneously, with all the Action happening in Chicago with giant and glorious Ad Firms populating The City and exerting a certain amount of Artistry to The Art Scene, it, indeed, was a momentous Time to be a constructive Creatif.
Having worked at Allan Anderson, Niefeld & Paley, WALT moved on to Needham Harper & Steers, momentarily leaving the Ad Industry to conduct his Art Business; coming back and then repeating The Cycle. As an Art Director, WALT then left to pursue a job at an outstanding, smaller yet avant gard Boutique Advertising Agency located on Ohio Street. During these Interim Periods, he successfully worked in both Realms and raised a Family. Both Careers, of course, crossed over and the enriching experiences gained from One Discipline could be applied with Grand Results to the other.
HOW TRANSFORMATION WORKS:
“What did you like about Advertising?” I asked WALT (as I’ve felt the Advertising Industry always conjured up Excitement-to-the-max).
Born and raised on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Advertising allowed WALT to travel and work in New York City with professional and well-known Photographers as Richard Avedon3 and Victor Skrebneski4. While there, WALT visited and checked-out all the Museums and Galleries. “It was fantastic! I had another Life going in New York City. Let’s face it. I worked with…and there is nothing like… learning from The Best.”
It is true that WALT worked with these Giants, but by the same Token, they were working with another Giant who was beginning to make his own indelible Mark on Art, Self-Expression and History.
THE VISUALITY OF BUSINESS: After all, anyone who has Advertising in their Background can easily apply the Tactics of Great Advertising Techniques and Prowess to promote themselves.
WALT believes he is very fortunate. His Brain is constantly absorbing, churning and filtering The Stimulus that bombards him in his typical Workday. “The Leap from Advertising into Fine Arts is not a Crossover, but they influence each other yet, they appear as separate Entities,” he explains to me.
The Arrival of the Computer Age spelled out problems for many People (whether they were Creatifs or not). Keeping up with the day-by-day advances of High Technology could have turned grueling to most Artists and/or People who were concretely set in their off-line Ways. Undoubtedly, this State still persists and separates ‘The Boys from The Men’ and the ‘Have-Nots from those that Have or Possess The Skills’ to advance and keep up with Change.
Like so many others ‘caught’ in this vacuum, the Advertising Business, Politics and the Aging Process swung against WALT. Suddenly, his Bosses were losing their Jobs. An entirely new Phase was taking over the Field that WALT had become such an Integral Part. With a fighting Spirit and Attitude, he decided this Advantage could offer New Opportunities to him (much like his Trips to New York City had proven). Other Artistic Alternatives and Roads to follow to success (as he pursued his Rising Star) were on WALT’s Horizon.
At this point, WALT attended Art Classes at MAC University where he specialized in Photoshop and Illustrator. Then, he took those newly-honed Skills to the point of doing his own Digital Art. Pushing himself moreso, those Works were entered into Juried Digital Online Shows. Selected from hundreds of other Entries to be featured in the Photoshop 5 Publication (consisting of eight Pieces of his Work all found on their Photoshop 5 Disk,) this catapulted a significant Turn in WALT’s Career affecting his Course and Affect on Modern Art.
HOW IT’s DONE: It is much more complicated than this, but in essence, an Image is snapped which is defined as ‘Digital Art’ that was first derived from this Photograph; toss it into Photoshop and begin to creatively manipulate it by exploring the rich Variations of Themes, Colors, Textures, Line(s), Movement, Layers and Filters. Voilá: You then have Copyright-Free Art to do whatever you please. To WALT, that was easy enough but he still wanted more Challenge.
Then, an Opportunity came along that would differentiate any and all of WALT’s Art from anything that was ever produced. He began painting on Lucite Chairs. A Friend (that he terms as his ‘Intermediary’) introduced him to a Company that could print a Likeness to a thickness of 4 inches. WALT’s Art Work (now digitally mastered and saved on a CD Rohm was printed on the Seats and the Backs of these Showroom Clear, Lucite Chairs. Plexiglass is synonymous with Lucite. His ‘Intermediary’ was instrumental in moving WALT’s Artwork into this high-end Imaging Process that would separate his Art from others and label it as ‘High-End.’ After several ground-breaking Shows, these Plexiglass Tables and Chrome-Folding Chairs set WALT apart as any other Artist in Chicago. These Settees (that overlap and appear as both a 3-D Painting and Sculpture) continue to sell and appeal as they had when they first appeared the Mid-1990. Because of their Artistic Beauty and Appeal to Interior Designers, there is a four-year back-order wait.
TAKING A BRILLIANT IDEA EVEN FURTHER:
Defining Acrylic Fusion – Beyond The ‘Conventional Canvas’
“Where do you go from there?” I asked WALT.
“We’re now going to begin the Process printing on Glass as opposed to Plexiglass, Adrienne. That way, the End Product is suitable for the SOFA: Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Expo.”5
“What a Transition you’ve made, WALT,” I commented shaking my head with complete Admiration and Awe.
THE MAN PREFERS:
Although WALT continues to work around the clock and is ever evolving according to The Outsider (or Roving Reporters as myself) who sees all his Advancements on a Surface Level only and clumped as One on-going Entity, WALT is determined to keep his Body(ies) of Work separated. By taking this route,
“It’s really refreshing that way …(to see how)…one influences the other.”
“It’s my Drawings that I’ve completed all along where I have achieved my major Awards,” WALT delineates:
1. Gladys Nilsson awarded WALT the ‘Best of Show’ at Eastern Illinois University at the(ir) Color Pencil and Water Color Biennial in 2004. The Museum purchased the 30” X 36” Painting for their Permanent Collection and awarded $1000 to WALT.
2. At Prairie State College Drawing Show, Gregory Knight from The Chicago Cultural Center awarded WALT an “Honorable Mention” in 2005.
3. Gregory Knight juried WALT into The Rockford Art Museum for their Midwestern Review during the Summer of 2006. This Show reviewed the Top Talent amongst Midwestern Artists.
4. Dennis Adrian gave an ‘Honorable Mention’ in the National Color Pencil Society Show to WALT in 2001.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS OF WALT A. FRYDYCK’s CAREER:
“Heavy-hitting Judges have seen my Work,” WALT proudly stated.
Ed Pasche6 (one of Chicago’s well-known Artists who died on Thursday, November 25, 2004) juried WALT into a Show in Michigan City.
BLOGGER’s INSERT: For those who are unaware as I was: ‘Jurying’ means the Show is structured per the Recommendations of a Staff of Art Professionals, whereby the Participating Artist is either ruled in or out. Therefore, the List of Judges is very important as they compose the Who’s Who in Modern and/or Contemporary Art in your Region.
Working in all Phases of The Art World is something WALT finds fascinating. In 2006, he took the time to curate a Show at David Leigh’s Morpho Gallery7 (at 5216 North Damen) where he picked two other consummate Artists (also Chicago Residents), namely John Kurtz, a Master Colorist and Allison Hill, a Surrealistic Artist in the Presentation called: ‘Abstract – Impressions’.
EMOTIONAL CONTENT: While viewing WALT’s Artwork, the Viewer is immediately drawn to the Faces in each Drawing. Representative of these are his Modern Day Drawings of well-known Iconic Figures including: Dali, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Da Vinci and the Mona Lisa all portrayed in lucite. These Lucite (over a Portrait) is initially drawn in Colored Pencil on an Ink Wash for the Drawing. The Paint-on-Plexiglass sets up The Abstraction. The Acrylic fused onto the Plexiglass mounted over the Colored Pencil and Ink on the Photo Process Paper that allows WALT to create in a Variety of Artistic Formats, including Drawing, Photography, Computer Graphics, Furniture and Fine Art.
WALT has shown nationally in: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. To date, his international Shows have included: Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy, Mexico City and Stockholm. A plethora of Websites display WALT’s Artwork throughout the years. Merely google: Walter A. Fydryck.8
Since WALT has worked in the Advertising Field where a single Glance can capture an Audience as well as ‘make or break’ a new Pop Culture Trend, I posed him a serious Question that would throw most People off-guard. It was:
“How would you sell yourself?”
Alluding to how he would see himself from an Outsider’s View, WALT said that his Acquaintances refer to him as a totally unique Artist – that his Works stand-out and apart from anything else on the Open Marketplace. According to my Viewpoint, the ones he is proudest are his Plexiglass Drawings that (as larger Works, measuring 24.5 H X 20.5 W X 2” Deep) do stand out on their own Merit from (any) other surrounding Works.
WALT’s GREATEST COMPLIMENT YET: In the Social Interactions that WALT is portraying, People of every persuasion are mingling. These Drawings allow WALT to be more narrative as he has a Story to tell. While hanging out with Abel Ferrara,9 a New York Director (known for directing Madonna in ‘Dangerous Games’ circa 1993), Abel stayed at the David Leonardis’ Gallery. That night, he slept under one of WALT’s Drawings. “This Drawing is a whole Film” Abel commented when he saw WALT the next Day. Telling an in-depth Story on a single Panel, Screen, Canvas or Lucite Block, WALT succeeds in what he sets out to do.
WALT’s Approach to Astrology deals more with his Art and its Communication than it does with what ‘The Stars’ tell us to do. Astrology and Horoscopes are either liked or ignored since the Age of Aquarius kicked in circa the late 1960s. Today, WALT has created a Medium that he calls:
THE STRING THEORY ®
that uses Artistic Geometry to set forth and layout the Visions his drawn Characters possess, admire or need. Hypothetically, ‘Celestial Guidance’ is what guides The Planets, Stars and Heavens. With a ruling Pen – WALT uses The Planet Saturn to connect The People, Dogs and Pets in his Drawings. A certain Fraction of The Population will not make a move unless their Astrology Sign tells them what to do. “I don’t seek out my Astrology Sign for Celestial Guidance,” WALT explains. “But I will read through all the Signs as they are usually quite insightful.”
VALIDATION IN THE MIGHTY SOLAR SYSTEM:
“Now being totally absorbed into the Mysteries and Wonders of Astrology, this Path has led me to a new Series called: CHARGED EMOTIONS ® that shows the Energy and Fire between People. This new Series employs Strings that connect The People in an almost Marionette-like Fashion. These are all Drawings where an Ink Wash gives my Paper a Chemical Reaction. Then, I draw over that. This new Series of 7-8 Drawings was introduced at the David Leonardis Gallery during the Second Week of March (2007). For these Astrological Drawings, the way the Language (peppered the Predictions) allowed me to look for applicable Visuals, even going as far as inventing my own Constellations. One Portrait shows a sexy Girl surrounded by Stars. This Series will be unveiled at Gunther Gallery in Itasca, Illinois by early Summer.”
Eventually, a Series of Twelve will be orchestrated symbolizing each Month of The Horoscope finishing off part of WALT’s 2007 Series called: CHARGED EMOTIONS ®. Initially, the Wording in the Daily Horoscope Listings captured WALT’s Attention and thus influenced his Art. “Magazine Astrology uses deep Imagery also, but Attitude is what I look for – to set the Words up,” WALT explains. Typically, one of my Pieces centers on one main Face emphasizing Big Lips with the Star Constellation around the Face which all ties into the Wording in a small Box. The Astrology Sign also appears as Part of Walt’s 2007 Series. “Astrology has always been a really Red Hot Seller,” WALT admonishes. WALT is a Scorpio being born on November 10TH.
Giving back to his Community (Chicago, where WALT has lived and worked for his entire Life) is something that WALT deems important in his Business and Spiritual Life. “The Annual Inspiration Auction was held on Friday, March 16. It is a Benefit for the Homeless People in Chicago held at the Cultural Center in the Main Room of Bradley Hall,” WALT informs me.
WALT’s has donated Artwork to this Show for the last 3-4 years. Through WALT’s Generosity, his Lucite Marilyn Monroe Chair went on the Auction Block for went for $250 but the final Bid hit $1,000 at Mary McCall’s Annual Celebrity Charity Chair Auction now in its 17TH Year. Proceeds benefit six needy Charities.10
“‘Something In the Air.’ ‘Waiting For The Artist.’ Great Titles are very important to the Feeling of my Art,” WALT clarifies. “Holy Smokes” is his own Takeoff of Smokers smoking. “Sizing Up” (circa 2005) is a Depiction of People created in colored pencil over ink wash.
I then asked WALT another pesky Question which I felt might unlock more invaluable Information. I asked him:
“How do you feel when you do your Art?”
“It has to grab me. I work at it till I get it to a strong content that I build on. Once I lay the Foundation, it takes over and takes on a Life of its own. At that point, I get totally into it and focus on making everything support The Concept.”
DIRECT WORDS & COMMUNICATION:
WALT not only knows the Art World and the Nature of Art (itself), but is also amongst the best Networkers in Chicago. Whenever I’m out-and-about ‘making the Scene,’ WALT is too. “How fortunate it is to be a Chicago Artist,” he openly exclaims. “Even moreso than being a New York City or Los Angeles Artist because of our Rich Diversity. We have funkier Roots here than Los Angeles and New York City who are strictly more formal. That’s truly the Advantage of Chicago that separates us from The Coasts. “If you want to be in for The Long Run – you need to make People Contact and sell yourself Person-to-Person. There is a constant need to be ‘On The Scene’ and be unusual enough to be ‘beyond that Scene’ and working on The Next.”
WALT IN 2012: “Where will your Art be five years from now?” I asked WALT. “Since I have been acknowledged by these Jurors, I hope my Art is guided into a really High End Audience. It’s a matter of having The Art evolve. I view it as an upward, moving Spiral and not a Circle. You keep working, adding and changing and getting more and more important Shows as you ‘spiral towards The Top.’
REACHING THE FULL ARTISTIC SCOPE: Working in The Art World is a full-time Job for WALT. It’s much more than the Act of Creation. Accompanying the Making of The Art are other Necessities that go hand-and-hand. The room needs to be worked. An Artist’s Reception is a two-thumbs-up experience. Due to his Expertise and Magnetism, Galleries featuring and representing WALT’s Work include: David Leonardis, Mars Gallery, Perspectus Gallery, LaLarona Gallery, Morpho and Gunther Gallery of Itasca.
On March 23 (2007), Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois will welcome WALT for a Talk and Slide Presentation called:
“The Drawings and the Realism behind Abstraction”
across from one of his Exhibits. As the only School in the USA featuring this Policy, their unique Plan allows them to purchase the Students’ Artwork for $100. The Student then realizes that his/her Art and Talent are valuable. Their Hallways are filled. One of WALT’s Illustrations appeared in The American Art Collector - the Midwest Region Edition, a Book that is published annually and is how he came to their Attention. The same Premise will be used later in the year at Lake Forest College where his Works have also been picked up.
DECISIONS – DECISIONS:
“What’s your very favorite Piece of Art that you’ve ever produced, WALT?” I asked. “The one that changed everything.”
“That would be my first Acrylic placed on Plexiglass. This happened in the late 1970s. I still have that Painting. Working in an Abstract Vein at the time at Gilman Gallery I airbrushed on Plexiglass. I then used a Transparency to develop a Blend. It possessed a really good - handsome look to it. I then took in to Gilman and told him: “This is not a Test. This is a Painting. At that moment, Agahm, an Israeli Artist, walked in, pointed to my Piece and said: “This is beautiful!” That started my Entry into making Art that would overcome all Obstacles.”
WAF’s PRICE RANGES: 2007
Drawings begin at: $650
New Series of Plexiglas Paintings begin at: $5000
All in all, my Art reflects my Inner Reaction to Visual Stimulus because that’s how I work. I may see a Face that I like. I also thumb through Magazines looking for striking Imagery that hits me in a certain way. Of course, the Latin American Influence has inspired me by being in the Perspectus Gallery, but by the same token, I am also curious about the Cosmos including UFOs and Astrology. Moon Rays and The Sun hold my Drawings together. Dogs add an off-beat Element to the Pictures.
WALT feels really confident about his Contributions to and Standing in The Art World. WALT has worked hard and long and by so-doing, he derives a ‘Rush’ from his Accomplishments that have yielded what Artists strive to do. It’s a ‘High’ for him making his Art. He is continuously working it over in his Mind. New Concepts are analyzed over and over --- even when he lies down to sleep.
“My Life is my Art as it gives me license to go anywhere. Into the ghetto. The ghetto is so colorful. I walk into places where I think people will not buy,’ WALT states. “I meet all kinds of People. All these Encounters and Experiences enter into my Thinking and Analysis. The Finale is my Ability to paint People in unexpected, untraditional and juxtaposed Levels.”
“What’s your relationship with Gallery Owners?” I asked. “It is their Belief in and Appreciation of my Art – all these years – it’s that simple. They do their Job and I do mine. They have to believe that they can sell and those are the Dealers I work with.”
“Would you still ‘do’ your Art if you were so rich you wouldn’t need to?” I asked WALT.
WALT answered my ‘Trick Question’ in the way I expected him to by saying:
“I would still do my Art even if…Art is that Modus - a way I confront myself. I have had that ‘something’ in my own Life. While I worked in Advertising, I had to come up with Concepts and Ideas. My whole Life is based on that Philosophy. I never had a normal job.”
WALT shakes his head and says: “I can challenge myself and I continue to challenge myself. For any Challenge, you just don’t know when it will open up a whole new other Door. I also believe in Energy. A Person has to have Energy or you get swept up in Commercialism. I get a lot of Energy out of Music. Music has always been a Factor in my Life and Part of my Energy Trip.”
After all: “We don't accomplish anything in this World alone ... and whatever happens is the Result of the Whole Tapestry of One's Life and all the Weavings of Individual Threads from one to another that creates something" as Former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (First Woman on the U.S. Supreme Court) stated.11
Although WALT’s Art has Mainstream Elements, it will always possess that biting, Cutting Edge Feel that is Part of The Renegade Artist that lives and thrives in the Soul of WALT. A. FYDRYCK. For the rare, far-between and few, the Art of being a full-fledged Artist never ends…. “It’s amazing how Things are coming together,” WALT summarizes. You can clearly see that in his Art. It’s all happening and gelling for WALT A. FYDRYCK.
And that finishes our Conversation with WALT...
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PART 3: YOUR DAILY CHICAGO FIX…®
This Special Event is designed for those Families and/or Individuals who live in Suburbia and are driving, hopping on board a train or bus and headed into the City for the Day. Completely random, this Singular Listing can cover a job opportunity; a theatre performance; a celebrity appearance. After all, if you’re going to see IT ALL, you’re going to be in Chicago!
Therefore, without further adieu: DRUM ROLL, PLEASE:
If you’re in Chicago today, Friday, March 23, 2007, check out:
‘Gangsters & Gurus: A Search For Something Sacred in America.’ 2
Through Original Songs & Lyrics, John & Rich Green (a/k/a: The Brothers Green) recollect and relive “One Man’s Search for his Own Personal Voice.”
Location: No Exit Café – 6970 North Glenwood in Chicago
Times: Friday & Saturday: 8 PM
Sunday: 3 PM
Price: $10-$20.
PART 4: SEIZE THE DAY…
Chicagology 101: #23 for Tuesday, March 27 probes:
Going Greek in Chicago. Sunday’s Greek Independence Day Parade kicks off a Month of ‘Going Greek.’
UPON CLOSING: Until Tuesday …May all your Adventures & Trips be healthy, happy and artistically illuminating ones!
Sincerely,
Adrienne Sioux Koopersmith
CVO: Chicago’s Very Own…
SOURCES FOR Chicagology 101 –March 23, 2007:
1 Chicago Gallery Listings: http://chicagolandyp.com.
2 The Chicago Reader. www.chireader.com
FOOTNOTED SOURCES FOR THE WALT A. FYDRYCK MARCH 16, 2007 INTERVIEW:
1 Statement derived from WAF’s Curriculum Vitae
2 John Kearney, the original Founder of the Contemporary Art Workshop.
Info at:
www.contemporaryartworkshop.org/artists/kearney/kearney/html
3 Richard Avedon. Info at: www.richardavedon.com
4 Victor Skrebneski. Info at: www.skrebneskiphotographs.com
5 SOFA: Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Expo is dedicated to bridging the Worlds of Design, Decorative and Fine Art. Info at: www.sofaexpo.com
6 Ed Pasche. Info at: www.edpaschke.com
7 Morpho Gallery owned and operated by David Leigh.
Info at: www.morphogallery.com
morphogallery@aol.com
8 Google: Walter A. Fydryck.
Email WAF directly at: fydryck@yahoo.com
9 79,000 Google Results for the Official Abel Ferrara Website
(as of Friday, March 23, 2007 – 9:25 AM CST).
10 Mary McCall’s Yearly Celebrity Charity Chair Auction.
Info at: www.celebritychairauction.com/index.html
11 Smartbrief Quote by: Former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
(Derived from: NCA SmartBrief: March 22, 2007)
http://www.smartbrief.com/alchemy/servlet/encodeServlet?issueid=0241FC6D-9503-4D67-ACC9-F100FB70C718&lmid=1973495
NOTE: A ‘Special Thank You’ to Robert E. Hofstadter of Hofstadter & Associates, Chicago, Illinois for his valuable Insights, Proofreading and Editorial Additions made to this Document.
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