Interview With an Artist -- Robert Milaschewski

Thorn Apples, Milaschewski

It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to interview an artist. This installment showcases the unique style of one of my New Jersey high school classmates who now resides in Maine. I reconnected with Robert Milaschewski last year before attending our 50th high school reunion in June. I found out that we had an 'art' connection which I hadn't realized or recalled, although I 'majored' in Art in high school and was voted Most Artistic (along with Lisa Tate) by my classmates. I also used to sketch the athletes during basketball games with another classmate. Yet another classmate recalled that I drew his portrait. Who knew that Bob was also into art!

Anyway, Bob kindly agreed to answer my interview questions.

1. What is your philosophy as an artist? 

I just paint things I always thought were interesting, things people pass every day and don’t really notice or think about. They may bring a feeling of comfort or discomfort, but hopefully never boring.

2. Why do you create art?

A New Dawn, Milaschewski

I have to create art, it’s an obsession. I constantly see things and think how it would look on canvas in my style.

(Bob's style is reminiscent of Pointillism, but with the dramatic lighting of Rembrandt. I love the layering and his rich choice of colors!)

3. Why do you work in the medium that you do? 

I prefer acrylic to oil because it dries faster allowing me to layer my color. 

4. How do you meet people in the art industry? 

By joining an art guild, applying to become part of local shows, attending art classes.

5. How did you teach yourself?

I have always made art, even from a young age. After high school I attended college for art, then returned to art school as an adult.

6. What is the most valuable thing you learned in art school?

Cherry Blossoms, Milaschewski

The most valuable thing I have learned in Art school was how to look at art, composition and design.

7. What have you learned by teaching a class or hosting workshops?

Diversity is wonderful.

8. What have you learned by using social media for your art business?

Social media can bring your work to many more people.

9. What would you do differently or the same looking back?

December, Milaschewski

To free my mind, don’t overthink, let your thoughts flow freely and just make art.

(I think this is my favorite Milaschewski work (at least of the ones shown here). I particularly love the contrasting dark blues of the sky against the lighter snowy blue of the mountain landscape. The textured brushstrokes remind me of Van Gogh!)

10. What strategy tips do you have for an art career?

If you’re going to do it, do it! Immerse yourself, join art groups, surround yourself with other artists, apply for shows, promote your work, have a positive attitude, it takes time. Don’t be afraid of failure, keep trying, and eventually it will come.

11. Which advice should you have listened to or ignored starting out as an artist?

Make art for yourself, do what pleases you. Remember it’s just paint.

I hope you enjoyed this interview. I haven't featured local artists in an interview format since November 2020. Please check out my other blog posts for their artwork and insights. You can also see some of my own artwork on FineArtAmerica. (Unfortunately, when you visit the site, the Train art by the other Ken Patterson shows up ahead of mine, so I had to select 'most recent'.)

Caricatures -- Cartoon Celebrity Cameos

The Hanna Barbera classic, The Flintstones got interesting when they included recognizable celebrities and television characters like Darin and Samantha Stevens (from Bewitched). Animators captured Darin well, but something's off with Samantha. My favorite was probably Gina Loadabricks (after Lollobrigida).

And in the 1994 Flintstones movie, Liz Taylor played Wilma's mother, who looked nothing like the original animated version of Fred's mother-in-law.

The Cartwrights from Bonanza appeared in the Flintstones episode "Sheriff for a Day" in 1965, riding dinosaurs, of course! I can't tell whether the 2nd guy is brother Adam or the ranch hand, Candy Canaday. 

Scooby-Doo also had its fair share of celebrity guests. While I never saw these episodes, you should recognize The Three Stooges, Sonnie & Cher, Batman & Robin, and surely Don Knotts (Mr. Furley or Barney Fife?).

Apparently, Whoopi Goldberg also made an appearance as a psychic back before she grew less popular hosting The View. 

In my opinion, the best caricature of the Scooby-Doo guest stars is 'Weird Al' Yankovic. He runs an accordion camp in the mountains, and the music awakens a dinosaur from a cave. It turns out to be animatronic figure operated by 'assistants' on an archaeological dig.

Futurama was a show I never watched. It included caricatures of guests such as: (the heads of) Paula Abdul, Snoop Dogg, RGB, and Bjork. I especially enjoy seeing the Star Trek characters as animations. Sulu and Uhura are captured very well!

Paul McCartney's (and wife, Linda) animated character made an appearance on The Simpsons. Notice that the upper jawlines are similar to the artistic style of Futurama.

Ryan Reynolds is unrecognizable on Family Guy. Some celebs just don't translate well into toons!

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) is a bit more accurate on BoJack Horseman, but I can also see Seth Green.

One of my adult 'cartoon' favorites (though irreverent) was MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch, which originally aired in 1998, lasting four seasons and 75 episodes. It was interesting to see the 3D caricatures of the celebrity pairings. The outcome was always gory and not appropriate for displaying here. What impresses me is the sculpting of the stop-motion Claymation figures. It was like watching a wax museum come to life on TV. It wasn't the best publicity for the celebs; way more coveted to be asked to host Saturday Night Live!