Horse Artist Interview – Iwona Jankowski

Name Iwona Jankowski

Website & Places we can find your work online?
Virtual studio: www.ijArtStudio.com
Marzi Art
Lawndale Art Center
Art A Bus
Dart Fine Art
Absolute Arts

…and many other virtual locations on the Internet by searching my name.

Where you are?
I live in beautiful, warm The Woodlands, Texas. My studio is located in my house. I converted our two-car garage and one large room in my house to use as my studio. There, I can close the door and leap into my world.

I have my easels, computer equipment, special racks (designed by myself to dry my work) and a nice storage area. It’s a small space and I need to keep it well organized in order to work on multiple pieces simultaneously.

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I was born in Poland. My fascination with art started at a very early age.

After graduating from the School of Visual Arts in Gdynia, Poland, I studied drawing and painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, Poland.

In 1981 my husband, my son (4 years old at that time) and I moved to United States where I’ve continued my education at Houston Community College under the Computer Science /Computer Graphics Major.

I found first job working with digital graphics, graphics design, multimedia creating Interactive Computer Based Training courses, as well as software development. Still, I have used every occasion to paint and draw.

I have used every moment I have to create and experience with new medium

In 2000, the company I used to work for closed and after many years of encouragement from my husband, I made the tough decision to walk away from a lucrative position as a project manager to pursue a full time career in fine art.

My art passion, education, broad experience, and professional carrier in commercial art helped me to broaden my skills and continue to identify, as well as develop, my own means of artistic expressions.

When did you first start drawing horses?
My first works of art I have created as a small child were horses.

I don’t remember how and when I was introduced to horses, the only thing I remember is that I was amazed by the animals and when drawing them, I thought I could feel every muscle of the horse I drew.

Even today, after many years, my favorite subject is Horses – they still continue to amaze me

For me the horse, beside the beautiful gracious body, is a symbol of a free soul, loyalty and trust.

What is your favorite breed?
I love all the horses, doesn’t matter breed, color, size, or age; they all are different, but the same to me – beautiful souls.

Do you (or did you) have an animal that is the muse behind your work?
I am always surrounded by animals. Unfortunately, I don’t own a horse, but that doesn’t stop me from admiring the beautiful creatures. As a teenager, for a few years, I rode horses in horseback riding club to be closer to them.

I still have a few drawings of my favorite horse named Medyk, but after a hip injury, I couldn’t ride anymore for many years but visited Medyk very often.

Do you have any secret rituals you do to help you get in the zone for your art?
Yes, I go to my studio I call “Cave,” close the door and I’m instantly in the zone.

Is there a particular place that brings you inspiration?
Maybe not a particular place inspires me as much as some visuals and feelings that I experience.

What effect do you think the Internet will have on art in general?
The Internet is a powerful tool and a window to the huge world with endless possibilities, especially to learn and to let others to know about your existence.

For artists, it’s a great opportunity to see tendencies and new waves in art around the world, to contact and communicate with other artists and art lovers, to meet and introduce yourself to larger public, as well as to share your art with others.

Has it had an effect on yours?
Yes, the Internet is the place I can find some great inspiration for my art, can introduce myself as an artist, share my art with others, and also can put it on the market when available for sale.

Through the Internet, I also offer archival canvas prints of my paintings that can be purchased from my website.

Which one is your personal favorite piece? Would you ever sell it?
I have no preferences. Every painting I create is different and has a different meaning to me. Every one contains a small part of me, my soul and is like a baby, I nourish it and then, I need to let it go.

My husband is a great admirer of my art and there is a number of paintings he has a hard time parting with.

What else are you passionate about?
I love nature, animals, and love to spend time in my garden.

Working on anything new?
I always have a few projects I work on at the same time. I have recently submitted my work to the MIRCA Group for the “Planet Earth Planet Art” book that will be published in 2010. Another project is an environmental awareness art exhibition European tour in fall 2009 and 2010.

Also, I have started a few horse paintings and then I’ll finish them one by one, until I can feel they are alive.

More to Come

Thanks to Iwona for answering the interview and sharing her art. Be sure to check to her Art Website periodically for updates about her latest works.

Also stay tuned for more interviews with horse artists and photographers.

Are you a horse artist or do you know an equine artist you’d like to see featured? Add your name and website in the comments below or drop me a note to get involved.