jamesjankowiak

[jamesjankowiak]

“Flight Patterns” a public art project funded through the 23rd Ward Menu Program, administered by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The first thing I noticed about the architecture when I did my first site visit was

it tapered on both ends, very much giving the impression of a launching spot, a place where cars zip in and out of thousands of times a day. That’s my biggest audience- people driving by these walls for an average amount of time at less than three seconds. How could I make a time based 2D work? I had an advantage with the archways under the bridge. I could treat them as the slots of a zoetrope, and see if it would be possible to animate a Cooper’s Hawk to fly through the tunnel with you. It ended up working out in the end, but not without the hard work of several people I was lucky enough to hire to help me out. I had my friend Josue Pellot and his new fabrication LLC, 408 Fabrication, managing the project on-site for those times I couldn’t be there. I’m forever grateful for him and his crew’s work. 

Thanks to Alderman Silvan Tabares, who not only presented this opportunity to me, but opened the door for me to hire a group of my painting students from my After School Matters arts program, Contemporary Painting Studio. In it’s 17th year, Contemporary Painting Studio is a paid apprenticeship where teens come together after school to create paintings for a culminating art event at the end of the program. Programs run in 6 week bursts three times a year, once each semester and a summer program, which features extra hours and extra pay, a perfect way for a teen to get real life job experience and explore the world of contemporary art through field trips, discussions and making paintings.

The timing was perfect, our summer program was ending at the exact same time the mural prep began. I offered the entire class of 15 the chance to earn 21 dollars an hour for 25 hours each. A core of 8 students were able to manage the schedule, and they began custom mixing over 50 colors needed for the mural, a total of over 150 32oz containers of acrylic paint.

The most special part of having my students with me during this process was having them in my studio building everyday. Two artists that share my floor and saw the young artists began leaving their doors open for them to explore. My next post will be devoted to that.

[jamesjankowiak]

I’m kind of missing my students today. I’ve known some of them for almost their entire HS education, and a few are graduating. Super smart, highly aware of their world and definitely motivated to challenge it. They’ve been through so much, I can’t imagine how I would’ve handled living through a pandemic when I was their age. With all of the horrific events of the last few weeks (years), working with them keeps me grounded and hopeful. I’ll be getting most of the band back together again soon though in our summer program…thanks to @afterschoolmatters for letting me run my painting program, now going into it’s 17th year. #afterschoolmatters #teensmatter #chicagoartists #contemporarypaintingstudio (at John Hancock College Prep High School) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeSY5kfs_Uk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#afterschoolmatters #teensmatter #chicagoartists #contemporarypaintingstudio

[jamesjankowiak]

Part one, part two in progress. Acrylic gouache on panel, 16x12, 2022. https://www.instagram.com/p/CdvW-D3gHEG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jamesjankowiak]

“Picture Support” acrylic on panel, artist’s frame, 62”x50”, started in 2018 and just finished with the assist love going out to @408fabrication and @josuepellot crew, photo by Tom Van Eynde. #jamesjankowiak #painting #chicagoartists https://www.instagram.com/p/CdnxI1Crl0w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#jamesjankowiak #painting #chicagoartists

[jamesjankowiak]

Untitled, acrylic on canvas, 60x42” #commission https://www.instagram.com/p/CdMDZ1gFuV7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#commission

[jamesjankowiak]

When I was growing up, my grandfather used to love telling stories about his cousin John, the pianist who moved to NYC and became an important music professor. My grandfather reminded me several times, with a warm affection, “Yup, John made it. You can make it too. There’s proof right there”. Thanks to the internet I’ve been fortunate to learn more about John Mehegan, but this little tidbit of trivia is perfect to share today. There’s a recording of my twice removed cousin playing with Charles Mingus, and I just ordered it via eBay. Happy Birthday Charles Mingus! This association, to me, is proof a Mehegan “made it”. #johnmeheganjazz https://www.instagram.com/p/CcrLki2lVIU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#johnmeheganjazz

[jamesjankowiak]

New acrylic gouache on panel, untitled for now, 8x10” https://www.instagram.com/p/CcOVRyVFWSs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[jamesjankowiak]

Untitled, gouache acrylic on panel, 12x6” https://www.instagram.com/p/CcEP1RPlkEW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jamesjankowiak]

This little jammer beat my ass a bit but I had to see it. Acrylic gouache on panel, 6x6”. https://www.instagram.com/p/CbwDvBzst6Y/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jamesjankowiak]

Untitled for now. Acrylic on canvas, 36”x72” #studioshot #iphonepic https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbnj6D9lhLL/?utm_medium=tumblr

#studioshot #iphonepic

[jamesjankowiak]

Better light https://www.instagram.com/p/CbjOht5s2L2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jamesjankowiak]

Acrylic gouache on panel, 10x10”, 2022, untitled for now. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbh2OhVr7FO/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jamesjankowiak]

Acrylic gouache on wood panel, 8x10” #painting https://www.instagram.com/p/CbbbamisXNa/?utm_medium=tumblr

#painting

[jamesjankowiak]

The kids from Contemporary Painting Studio at Hancock HS, sending a gesture of love to the people of #Ukraine #standwithukraine #afterschoolmatters (at John Hancock College Prep High School) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbJU4N0FfOR/?utm_medium=tumblr

#ukraine #standwithukraine #afterschoolmatters

[jamesjankowiak]

#tbt 2016 Untitled 13” acrylic and glitter on wood #painting https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ0yyxvMuNO/?utm_medium=tumblr

#tbt #painting

[jamesjankowiak]

In Another Life Gouache acrylic on panel. 8x8”, 2022 https://www.instagram.com/p/CZpK8sfllQC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[jamesjankowiak]

“A Specific Set of Challenges” Gouache acrylic on panel 8x8” 2022 #jamesjankowiak https://www.instagram.com/p/CZnE1EAFJlz/?utm_medium=tumblr

#jamesjankowiak