Follow Your Calling Without The Fear
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Kenneth Gomes | Black History Month 2012
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Kenneth Gomes, a local Jersey City painter, to speak with him a little about his artwork, what inspires him “my daughter” and more.
What advice would you give an artist just starting out? I would have to say that there is nothing more important (in the art world) than to follow your calling without the fear of critique. Stay dedicated to your talents, and they will stay loyal to you!
We had a nice chat last week about your artwork and you mentioned you have created for over ten years (twelve to be exact). Please tell us a little bit about your style and medium. Over the last few years, my style has evolved into whatever I’m feeling at that particular period in my life. I paint in acrylics, but also play around with watercolors and oils lately.
How has your vision and style changed through the years? I’m going to have to say that, as I age and become more experienced, my vision has broadened tremendously. I appreciate all of the small things and objects around me that are just dying to be painted. As for style, I have become more patient and a little more daring when it comes to the elements of art.
When we were talking, you mentioned you can only really create in your studio. Can you please share why with our community? I believe every artist has his/her own safe zone where they feel themselves, or simply are more comfortable in one place as compared to others. I have the luxury of being able to paint in the house that I grew up in. Most of my paintings come from memories in that house, not exactly how they happened, but how I remember them happening.
Kenneth Gomez | Hands On
Out of the images in your collection so far I’m really drawn to an image of handprints titled “Hands On” as well as “Love Angel”. Can you please describe these two pieces and what your thought process/feelings were while creating? “Hands On” is my way of explaining how a person can’t get enough of learning or living. In other words, the best type of experience in life is hands on! “Love Angel” comes from an old story I learned in grammar school (3rd grade). There was a teacher that explained “love” to the class. She said that one day an angel would bring you a heart. If that heart matched someone else’s, you found love and your soulmate. That crazy story always stood in my head.
You have an upcoming show at Steam on February 8th for Black History Month. Please tell us a bit about the piece and if it’s for sale. The lovely people at Steam are giving me an opportunity to show a painting I have titled “Amber Night”. When I was young, disco was pretty big in our area. This is homage to that era and how much black history influenced such a great part of the music industry. It will be for sale for the duration of the show. I would like to dedicate every painting that I have ever created to my dad (Kenneth Gomes Sr.). He passed away in May of 2009. He was my mentor, my idol, and my hero.
Kenneth Gomez | Heart Angel
Thanks again Laura!!!!!!!!! Hope to see you at the opening for Steam…and whatever openings I get my hands on in the near future!
my absolute pleasure! i look forward to seeing you again hopefully soon and perhaps in future shows – you never know:)