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Q1: Let’s start with the common question, if you can kindly introduce yourself.
My name is Greg Schoeneck, and I’m a painter, living in Milwaukee,Wisconsin in the US.
Q2: How did you get into the field of your work?
I’ve been doing art all my life, in college I originally went to to school to teach art, but then decided at the last minute to graduate with a degree in fine art. My style really just started to reveal itself only in the last few months of my college career.
Q3: Do you have any current favourite artists, comic artists, photographers who may have influenced you to become the artist that you are?
Always been a fan of comics Todd McFarland/ Frank Miller kinda stuff. But if we’re talking painters I have always been a fan of Edward Munch, his work has probably been the painter that influenced me most specifically, the whole idea and philosophy of the German Expressionists influences me in a broader way, as far as painters though.
Q4: What are the main tools of your trade?
I’m fairly traditional when it comes to the tools of the trade, oil paints, brushes, canvas and all the little things that come with those tools.
Q5: How was it for you to learn the process of that? Did you teach yourself, take classes or learn from other existing artist’s tutorial?
As I said I went to school for painting, learned a little bit about a lot of different art forms from photography to fiber art to graphic arts. But I settled in on working primarily in paint and primarily in oil. I graduated from theUniversityofWisconsin-Milwaukee.
Q6: Do you think its possible for you to describe the process of your art style, what are the dos and don’ts, the important aspects you set yourself to achieve your style of design?
My work takes time and patience between short bursts of intense energy and work. I go in to my studio with an idea work for an hour or two on a piece then walk away for a day to let the paint dry or somewhat dry and come back to it the next day and work on it for another hour or two. That process can go for months until its done. Not only do I have to get the idea out and across but then I have to be able to step back from the piece and think yeah that looks pretty cool. I don’t want to have to explain my work to validate it, I want it to be able to stand up on different levels, the more the viewer invests in one of my pieces the more there is for them but if someone just wants to look at it real superficially its still a pretty cool picture. I hope that answers this question.?
Q7: What are the biggest struggles you encounter as an artist?
Motivation…motivation, it’s hard to get going and keep working, when pieces are selling and I got shows coming up it’s a little easier. But when people aren’t buying, even with a show coming up, it’s hard to motivate yourself. Being an artist is a passion but it’s also a job and when its not paying the bills it gets hard to go and do your job even if you like doing it.
Q8: Do you have any other future plans that don’t involve creative art?
I’m actually planning on going back to school for my Masters in Counseling. I feel like learning more about psychology would help my work more than going further with schooling in art. I think there are enough artists out there who know a lot about art but have nothing to really say. I want to learn more about people so I can have even more to say with my art, at least that’s my thinking.
Q9: Do you have any personal mottos, quotes or existing quotes that motivates you to do what you love doing? Can you share it with us or provide words of wisdom from your experiences for those who look up to you?
Well there are so many things I try to live by but I guess I can share a couple of good quotes I like to live by, “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” and “It’s one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it’s another to think that yours is the only path.”
Q10: What do you think the future will hold for all artists from all backgrounds from now?
I don’t know that I can say what the future will be for anyone, right now it’s hard for all artists. Art with any meaning is being tossed aside for decorative arts across the board, hand made anything is being ignored for mass produced junk. I can see people want to change that fact, but as with anything action needs to be taken, or we’re going to lose it all. The important thing is for artists to keeping making art no matter what. Another quote maybe? … “The secret to life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” Keep working and trying to be seen.
Q11: To round off the last question, where can your fans and new fans find updated news and progress from you, - Where can we find you?
Well the easiest way to get a hold of me and see my new work and see where I’m showing is my web site: http://www.gregschoeneck.com/Site/Greg_J._Schoenck.html , I’m also on Facebook:http://facebook.com/greg.schoeneck , and Twitter: http://twitter.com/gjs2013 .
Q12: Ok this question is optional for you, you and I know that art theft is so common now in the internet world, so are there any words you want to share or shout at to those who steal people arts?
People steal everything these days I have mixed feeling about a lot of it. I don’t think I can really even speak to the question, there are so, so many angles to that question.
