ARTIST STATEMENT

Stark works in a variety of mediums and styles. To help viewers better understand his work, he created different artist personas for the various styles he produces. Often, he attends his art openings in character as one of these artists. Stark apologizes in advance for any confusion this may cause.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Kevin Stark has been creating art his entire life. A self-taught artist, his first love was oil painting. He studied the techniques of the old masters, working to teach himself their methods. Stark later majored in art at the University of Oklahoma, where he expanded his interests and honed his skills in a variety of styles and mediums. Over the years, this led to art sales to clients around the world.

ARTIST INSIGHTS

How are your background and life experiences connected to your art?

All of my life experiences, and thus my background, are connected to art. I believe that almost everything I do is a form of art in some way, so I don't separate anything from what I consider to be art.

Who are some of your biggest artistic influences?

John Singer Sargent and Jack Kirby are my biggest influences.

How have you developed your artist career?

I just do the work. I’ve never worried about developing my art career. The quality and amount of work I do speak for themselves. If a career developed, fine. If a career didn’t develop, I was fine with that as well. Either way, I was always going to make art.

What does your artistic work intend to communicate to its audience?

My hope is that people see the many facets of my personality that embody my work. Some of my pieces appear very serious and almost dark, while others are openly fun and humorous. I don’t believe any person is always just one thing, and my work certainly reflects that about myself.

Does your work comment on any current social or political issues?

My work in the Starkology series, inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, is a humorous take on ancient and modern religious belief systems. I jokingly promote it as a religion for artists and creative people.

Do you have a particular story that stands out from your career as an artist?

Since I’m usually focused on the projects I’m working on right now, I seldom look back at what I’ve done in the past. But that does lead to one story. I was once asked to speak to students at a college about my work as an artist. I actually had to look myself up on the internet to remember what I’d done. So, I guess the fact that I had to look myself up was kind of strange.

What is one thing you would like your audience to know about you?

People sometimes meet me in different arenas and tend to think that’s all I am. Some know me as a musician, while others recognize me as an artist or a writer. Still others know me as a toy designer, and some as a former restaurant owner. I want my audience to understand that I have many facets to my personality and career and that I’m not just one thing. I also hope to inspire others to feel that they, too, can try different things in life and reinvent themselves as often as they wish.

Which current art world trends are you following?

I’m not really following any art world trends at the moment. I’m so involved in painting every day and creating new work that I have little time to follow trends.

Why have you chosen to sell your work in the 1515 Lincoln Gallery?

I love the space and the people who work at the gallery. There’s a warm feeling there that makes you feel immediately comfortable. It’s not a ‘stuffy’ gallery, and I love that.

What do you believe makes 1515 Lincoln Gallery distinct from other galleries?

Well, I think I answered that in the last question.

KEVIN STARK’S AVAILABLE ART

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