St. Louis Art Fair 2018

2 2018 COMMEMORATIVE PRINT Village Reflection John Chehak The 2018 Saint Louis Art Fair Commemorative Print, Village Reflection , is the work of artist John Chehak and is featured on the cover of this Program Guide. Village Reflection is an acrylic painting from the artist’s Reflection Series. The Commemorative Print was selected from among the work of the 181 exhibiting artists at this year’s event and is available for purchase at the Pop Up Shop (merchandise booth) at the corner of Brentwood and Forsyth. Born and currently living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, John Chehak pursues his passion for art by creating acrylic paintings containing vibrant colors and interesting shapes. Chehak began drawing and painting at a young age, and although he continued to create art as he grew older, he did not pursue painting professionally until 1998. Before then, Chehak had spent his career in health care after graduating with a pharmaceutical degree. His education in the sciences translates to his art; his work shows both the right and left brain at work. According to Chehak, his collection offers both “organized structures and shapes that are very symmetrical, while some of the other [works] are rather abstract.” To channel his creative right-brain, Chehak began to reflect on himself as a person and as an artist. As he put it, “It’s taken the last 40 years to let go of being a perfectionist.” Early on, Chehak challenged himself by experimenting with different colors and techniques, over time creating a style that is his own. Chehak recalls moments during these early stages when art buyers showed interest in pieces he did not believe were good enough; this encouraged him to trust his instincts. Now, Chehak describes his proudest moments as ones when art buyers view his paintings as something they could see in their own home or business. The chosen print, Village Reflection , is a part of Chehak’s Reflection Series that utilizes dry acrylic paint on heavy watercolor paper. The series currently includes ten pieces, all similar in style but each playing differently with color, size and shape. The inspiration for Chehak’s art comes from objects that catch his eye and his experiences, such as a hillside in the Mediterranean covered in small houses that influenced some of his architectural-based pieces. Chehak strives to paint pieces that will fit as easily on the walls of a building in New York as they would in California. The 2018 Commemorative Print and Chehak’s constant pursuit for evolution and improvement exemplify this year’s Saint Louis Art Fair theme, Perpetually in Motion , as we reflect on the past 25 years of the event. To see more of Chehak’s work, stop by booth 314 at the Saint Louis Art Fair or visit his website at easelwork.com. The Commemorative Print will be for sale at the Pop Up Shop @ Brentwood and Forsyth. Official Framer: