The title of our magazine is The Expressionist, because art is a form of expression. This artist considers himself a New England Abstract Expressionist, in other words, a phenomenal abstract painter who expresses himself through his work. That man is Ted Mikulski, an artist and professor in New England, Connecticut. Mikulski is a teacher at the university in which my parents graduated from, and hails from my home state.
With abstract art, there are no “defined lines” and there are no “rules.” It is completely how the painter wishes to put the subject on the canvas. If they want to draw a line a half inch thick, and draw an eye on the top and call it a human, then it’s a human. Abstract art is, in turn, the rawest form of art and is growing more popular each and every day. Abstract art also brings another great quality to the table which is simply the fact, everyone sees it differently. Ten people can look at the same painting, and ten people can come away with a completely different meaning. Though abstract art doesn’t necessarily have to have definition in it, it does pack a punch of ideals the artist may bury in the art which are there for you to hear if you only take the time to listen.
Ted Mikulski has this down to a science. He first got his taste of art when he was in architecture school, stating he would often find himself in the library researching 50s and 60s art because it fascinated him. Some of the work that really caught his eye and drew him to the love of art were Warhol, Pollock, and Stella; also known for their industrial art, which makes sense since he was studying to be an architect. Mikulski, however, decided to go into the arts professionally; it had too much of a pull to ignore.
In his own work, Mikulski draws his inspiration from Post-War American Art, which ranges from 1945 to today. He credits the following artists as those that inspire him most: Helen Frankenthal, Frank Stella, William Ronald, and Norman Bluhm. Mikulski recently stated that he is collaborating with other abstract expressionist artists such as Peter Smolenski. Mikulski says that when he paints he tries to avoid negativity, which is not following the path of the traditional abstract expressionism ways. This truly shows in his work, with the bright colors and free flowing designs that accent a full of life expression.
One of his awesome techniques he applies in his work is the ability to blend. It’s truly what caught my eye when I first saw his work. “I like to work with a series of blending techniques that allow you to lose sight of where my hand was during its creation. This creates a disconnection between me and my work, allowing the viewer to connect solely to the painting. It also gives the work a sense of urgency, like it is forever in motion.”
Mikulski is a true artist at heart. Not only does he paint, but he teaches art at Tunxis University in Connecticut and he has his master’s degree in Architecture from Norwich University. This artist is also writing a book to apply his talents in the Literary Arts field as well. That book is entitled, Art is Dead. It is a discussion about art in a society that is surrounded by technology and desensitized youth. The book will feature several professional artists’ contributions as well. It is scheduled for release in the middle of this year.
His work is not just for his students to see or for his peers; currently Mikulski has his work in a few galleries around New England for all to see. Those galleries include the Pump House Gallery, Union Station Hartford, PD Gallery, Gallerie Vivace, and the Middle River Gallery. If you are looking to view some of his great work, we suggest going to see them live in person at any of these establishments.
So how can I tell that Mikulski is a “true” artist? Simple, besides his great work filled with amazement and feeling, he has the best statement of his experience that shows his profound love for this field. “Often times 3 A.M. will roll around in my studio and I’m exhausted. I’ll take a look at my hands covered in paint and can’t do anything but smile and remember not to take life too seriously.” If you’re an artist, you will understand that statement and smile with him.
If you want to contact Mikulski, his web site and e mail are: www.TedMikulski.com, e mail: contact@tedmikulski.com
Work Interpretation
I thought it would be fun to add my interpretation of one of Mikulski’s works. This is something I haven’t done previously, but with his work you can sit down and see something different every time. So without further ado, here is my interpretation of “Winter Series 3.”
When I look at this painting, it reminds me of the frigid winters of New England because it looks like the formation of ice over the tar. If you ever sit down and look at ice closely you will see the glassy surface, but throughout the ice you will see its impure with lines, the small vein looking lines from the impurities of the water as it froze. You will see the ground below the ice surface, and if there is a high spot in the ice, the tar may even stick through and the ice will surround the small wave in the pavement.
That is what I see in this painting. As a child, I loved walking on ice despite my parents fright. I had no fear. I would sit and study the ice, to see the rocks caught inside and maybe a bug or two if they dare come to the surface during the snow. I would love to watch the spidering of the ice, and I would try to discover patterns and pretend it was a map of a city. I never did find any bugs, but it was a calming experience and something I looked forward to every year.
This painting has some of the most unbelievable details inside of it. Generally, it’s an off white and black, typically the colors of winter. There is even a slight wash of purple or light blue throughout the painting, not enough to stand out, just enough to accentuate the piece. A real nice effect as it gives it a small hint of color. It is something you could see in a New England winter among the barren trees and snow covering the grass; a small splash of blue or purple in the snow. The painting also has the finest feathering, spider like lines. This to me shows incredible control and painstaking detail. The big blobs of black (noir) could be the unleveled pavement that sticks up through the surface of the ice.
Despite the fact winter is a time of hibernation, death and cold, this painting is full of life and imagination in preparation of what the world will look like once the snow melts. It represents one of my favorite times in the year and makes me think of my fascination with the winter as a child. This truly shows the detail Mikulski puts into his work and how much talent this artist displays.
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