Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/977271
Besides being influenced obviously by the living masters at the time I apprenticed under—I always considered my true teachers the legends such as Nicolai Fechin, John Singer Sargent, Filipe Malyavin, Valentin Serov. Later when studying in France, I was introduced to the works of Eugene Carriere and Ignacio Pinazo, who were all the masters of interpreting the human figure in their very own way. The academia would teach a young aspiring artist the skills of drawing and painting; however, there is a big difference between a craftsman and an artist, and I was well aware that to call myself an artist I had to create my own "language" of communication and translation for my vision using the painting process. Only in the late '90s after years of serious experimenting have I discovered and later mastered my own "language." And since then, every day I have been trying to improve the many small details as part of my daily routine. At the end of each year, I find out that a new threshold of perfec- tion is reached. CM: What inspires you in life? How does that inform your choice of sub- ject matter? AK: What inspires me is the most challenging subject matter...the human figure in its infinite gesture and character. I seek to find extraordinary in the ordinary and often compare my creative process to writing poetry or choreography. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8 139 From left, "Stilettos" series, "Anniversary Gift" series and "Leaving Marseille" series. "Kohn apprenticed with two of Moscow's greatest Impressionist artists," says Patricia Terwilliger. "He's very dynamic and there is a tremendous energy in his paintings." Jones & Terwilliger Galleries hosts an artist opening reception for Andre Kohn on May 12 from 5-8pm.