The Spotlight, January 28th, 2010

I found out about today’s featured artist thanks to an email that was sent to me by our Internet Content Coordinator Brian Smith. I knew that he was a WINONA ST graduate and thought that Brian knew Zakary John Fellman through that connection. Turns out Brian didn’t know Zakary at all. While browsing local Twitter pages he found a blog link on Zakary’s Twitter page, @zakaryjohn_art, and then sent it to me. One thing led to another and Zakary ended up being featured today. 

So, I need to thank Brian for today’s Spotlight artist and also say thanks for so much help with managing this Blog. He is actually the person responsible for helping me set up and manage all the slide shows, categories, tags, etc. Brian also writes for a WKBT blog titled Music-Live-Reviews. If you’re into music, check it out music.blogs.wkbt.com. 

After contacting Zakary, he sent me this bio to introduce himself…

“My name is Zakary John Fellman. I am a stay-at-home dad and an artist. I love both. My daughter is “Two and an half,” she says. Greatest 2 1/2 years of my life!

As for art I love painting abstract.  My paintings are constructed through a long process of laying-up layers of paint, stain, varnish, washes and texture items(rocks, sticks, tape, etc.) This creates texture and patterns and stories.

I aim to build a history in a painting - the finished piece is meant to show all those layers and textures and colors. Essentially I am trying to hide just enough of the previous layer of paint and then I put on another layer that is meant to cover and bring out just enough of the previous layer…and so on.”

Zakary John’s painting “Amsterdam” has been added to the 2010 Spotlight slide show. Click on the Local Area Artists box below to view the slide show.

Paintings inserted above:  “Jung” and “Samson”