Drawing on Words

Ferencz J. Reka: Featured Artist

Painter, Acrylic

Home: Visegrad, Hungary

Saatchiart Website: http://www.saatchiart.com/ferenczart

Art Majeur Website: http://www.artmajeur.com/en/member/ferenczart

Email: ferenczart@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ferenczart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FerenczJReka/

When I first looked at your art, I was impressed with the movement of the images and how there seemed to be a layers of meaning in your paintings.  What inspires you to put these images on canvas?

Mostly social situations what I find interesting, lots of my work is about them. Today’s social loneliness, fake friendships, virtual communities, the quality of our lives, finding ourselves and our inner peace- these are the thoughts and feelings that I try to infuse in my work. Because I only paint 10-12 pictures a year I still enjoy every a part of the process. I’m only going to my studio and paint if something started to get a form inside me and want to get out really bad and be on a canvas. I enjoy the whole process :).

 Did you always like to paint? 

My first memories are about creativity, I wouldn’t call it art. As a kid I made my own jewelry collections from everything I could find around. I was always drawing, sewing, knitting, and embroidering. I’m good in all kinds of handicraft, even today. My passion is to invent and create.

Well, your present work with those bold colors is very inventive.  On road to where you are now, were there mentors, schooling, or disciplines that brought you to today?

I was studied textile designing; I think I can give a lot of thanks to my drawing teacher. He sent me out of the class because as he said I have a unique vision and style and the only thing what he can do with that is to ruin it. He asked me to find and walk my own path and try to isolate myself from the expectations and critiques of the professions and not to let any bad influence in. My husband’s opinion was the same, these things gave me the strength in the beginning, and I believed that what I’m doing is good.

Not every art teacher would challenge a student in that way, but it seems to have paid off with your unique style.  So to this day, you mostly work alone?

I mostly work alone, but from time to time I get involved with some projects. These are mainly charity events (for schools, homeless people or orphans). Isolation is what I created for myself. 16 years ago we moved from Budapest to the countryside, Visegrad, literally to the middle of the forest. We don’t really have neighbours; the only one who rings our doorbell is the postman. I love living here, our home and our life. I’m proud that by the age 30 I could get out of the running and fast city life and that I was able to change my whole life for the best. I participate in the Art Fair once a year (this year in London).These occasions are good to get back to the art jungle again and have a bit of a rush to charge up myself a bit. It’s more than enough for me.

Although you are isolated for your art, you have a great deal of presence online.  That must take a great deal of work as well.

Of course nowadays I can show my art to other people on FB, Twitter and other online communities. I got a lot of support from there as well. This path is difficult but also good. I got nice words, letters, comments what give me the push and the power to continue what I’m doing. I rarely do interviews.

I very much appreciate you taking your time to do this one.  What is your most recent work?

My latest painting, I’ve finished it a few weeks ago. “On the path to adulthood”
I tried to paint the greyness, monotony and “dangers” of adulthood, when our inner child dies things lose their colours and our lives becomes grey.

I can see how your background in textile design has influenced your work.

“Revealing Wistfulness” This picture is the straight opposite of what I painted on the first picture. I wanted to paint that feeling when we still wish that we were colourful and different than others. We try to keep our inner child alive, because if we still could find the beauty in a cloud, the perfection of a flower or admire a snowflake, then we can find our inner peace while drinking our cup of coffee in the morning.

I was taken with the painting, “Transition-And life goes by.”  Can you share a little bit about the meaning behind this?

I think about it as an exclamation point because life is for live it! Out life is like a glass of water, we can drink it or pour it out and waste it, it’s our decision. The biggest treasure in life is time and a lot of people still can’t understand that…

A lot of people don’t understand that.  I can see the themes of cherishing time and being yourself in your work.  What suggestions would you have for those who wish to make their living as an artist?

My advice is that if you don’t have endurance and willpower then don’t be an artist. The artist life from outside could seem fun and easy, but these days the ones go somewhere as artists are the ones who are single-minded and focused. If you want to choose this path you need to be sure that you can represent something and you have those values what you want to share with others.

I think that is very good advice, indeed.  To show how hard you work, I have included a list of important shows you have been involved in.  You don’t wait in the woods for someone to come by and purchase your art pieces.  You work hard at your discipline but also your shows and online presence.  Thank you,  Ferencz, sharing in this interview.

IMPORTANT SHOWS 

2015. Budapest (H)- Art Market
Paris (F)- Carrousel du Louvre
Miami (USA)- Museum of the Americas

Dubai ( UAE)- Dubai Art Fair
2014. Paris (F)- Carrousel du Louvre
Dubai ( UAE)- Dubai Art Fair
Santa Fe ( New Mexico-USA) Art Fair
Vác (H) – Atrium Art Gallery
Rome (I) – Hungarian Academy in Rome
Paks (H) – Csengey Dénes Cultural Centre
2013. Oslo (N) – S9 Art Gallery

Paris (F)- Carrousel du Louvre
Budapest (H) – Kertész29 Art Gallery

Miami (USA)- Museum of the Americas
2012. New York (USA) – National Arts Club

Tg Mures (RO)- Palace Culture

Budapest (H)- 2B Galéria