Today we’d like to introduce you to John Slaby.
John, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My life is bifurcated between my engineering and art professions, each driven by the desire to make the world a better place; the one through the material realm and the other through the spiritual. Both provide meaning and purpose to my life.
Art began seriously for me when I did my first outdoor art show at the then called Westheimer Art Festival in 1989. It was then I made the transformation from a self-taught, weekend painter to a professional, though it is dangerous to use art sales as a measure of such change.
Another leap occurred when I joined Archway Gallery in 1993, which is Houston’s oldest artist-owned gallery. Since then, my artistic life has become very focused on showing work on a regular basis and preparing for periodic exhibitions.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
The content of my art has cycled through the years between still life’s, landscapes and figure work. At the moment I am focused on the human figure, with its expressive possibilities. I stage photo shoots and use these as a basis for my realistic oil paintings. At the core of all my work are ideas on the human condition, covering themes such as aging, alienation and body shame, while striving to create thoughtful works of beauty.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
My advice to other artists is to keep working at your art, despite the ups and downs. I’ve been at this for 30 years and my work improves the more I do it. Perseverance is critical.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is always on display at Archway Gallery (www.archwaygallery.com).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johnslaby.com
- Facebook: johnslabyart
Image Credit:
John Slaby
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
donna e perkins
August 22, 2018 at 8:38 pm
Excellent interview I appreciate the openness in which John shares his thoughts. While his paintings are skillfully painted, there is always some unique consept behind each one.
It’s great to see so many images as they have such varied intentions motivating each work.