MS: Have you had any formal training?
JK: I attended Northampton Community College and Kutztown University, and
now Marywood University all for art, but I was always able to draw and
paint. I definitely learned some interesting ideas and received a
solid knowledge on the history of art, but the foundation was always
MS: What is your opinion of formal training?
JK: Well, I feel it depends on the person. Pretty simple really. Some
people need to take different avenues to ultimately get to where they
want to be.
MS: Do you feel that art can be taught or are you just born with it?
JK: I feel that no one is born with it. Its just a matter of being
interested or not. Everything in life is taught, the first time you
pick up a crayon, your learning. Some children quickly put them down
and some draw for hours.
MS:What do you feel makes your art unique?
JK:
I don't think my art is really unique to be honest with you. Maybe one
day, but for right now my work is still growing.
MS: Does your art have a message?
JK: Yes, all of it. And its very subliminal!
MS: What is your ultimate goal as an artist?
JK: To live and die doing what I enjoy doing, and possibly unveiling
secrets of life and death in the process.
MS: What is your definition of success as an artist?
JK: You know, awhile back I would have said, making money, having fans,
being well known. I have reached a point in my life that If I could
influence 1 person before I die, that would mean the world to me.
That's what its really all about, there's some immortality for you.
MS: Do you feel your style has changed since you started or has it stayed the
same?
JK: Its always changing! Constantly! As I feel it should. Art reflects
life, and life is ever changing, you and I are always changing. So its
only natural for what we are creating to change as well.
MS: When did you first know that you were an artist?
JK: When I had no money in my bank account! When I realized I wasn't good at anything else! I have allot more! Ha, well I honestly knew I was an artist when things I wanted in my life I would try to capture. Its strange really, animals, objects, friends, loved ones, I would try to capture them as close as I could because i wanted them in my life forever. Its somewhat of a sad and strangely compulsive way of looking at things... but its a world I create, and the only world I have any control in.
MS: Have you ever wanted to stop creating art?
JK: Ok, even stranger... yes. When I'm happy. My sadness fuels me into creating. Everyone is so afraid to be sad, everyone has to be happy. We force ourselves to always be in relationships...even if they are hell. We blow money on items to make ourselves happy, we take pills to make ourselves happy... what is so wrong with being down? If we weren't ever depressed how would we really ever enjoy being happy? Those moments of depression bring forth my most captivating work.
MS: Do you strive for perfection and if you could name one piece of yours which came close which would it be?
JK: All the time. Its very compulsive. I recently painted a good friend of mine, and yes, I feel I came close... but nothing is ever perfect, and it shouldn't be.
MS: What is the first piece of art you remember doing?
JK: I drew up what my future occupation would be when I was in kindergarten... I wanted to be a "Fossil man". You know... Archeologist, like how my dad wanted to be..
MS: If you could name just one artist that is your favorite who would it be and why?
JK: That's extremely tough. Um...Max Ernst... no wait, Hieronymus Bosch...
no wait, God. lol
Sorry, cant do it.
