Marc Zapchenk's Mediterranean Melodies

We met on Bob Dylan Way at the installation of his design on Mr. Dylan's birthday in 2011. Marc Zapchenk's Yin Yang Guitars was one of two winning designs for the manhole covers that were placed that year during Duluth Dylan Fest. Mayor Ness commemorated the placement and afterwards we celebrated with birthday cake.

This week I learned that an exhibition of Zapchenk's art will be on display in Northwestern Hall at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. The show, titled Mediterranean Melodies, opened on September 1 and will run through November 1. An artist reception will take place from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24.

Zapchenk works in a variety of mediums, primarily watercolor inks, acrylic paints and sprays, and colored pencil sticks. An artist his entire life. When I looked at some of the work he's done I could see the influences of Matisse, Picasso and even Marc Chagall. When I inquired about this he sent me to the artist statement that accompanies this show which begins...

In September 2014 my wife Sonja and I traveled to Europe in celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. We shared a wonderful trip along the Mediterranean Sea through Spain, France, and Italy.

A significant part of this journey for me was seeing the works of my favorite artists including Chagall, Léger, Matisse, Miró, and Picasso. It was inspiring to see their art and to be where they lived and worked. What a joy to walk the same streets, drink in the same cafés, and paint along the coast of the same glorious sea.

You can read the rest of here.

Moonlight Meeting with Matisse

If you are in the Twin Cities, or passing through, check out Marc Zapchenk's Mediterranean Melodies.

Tue, Sep 1, 2015 12:00pm
Sun, Nov 1, 2015 12:00pm
Luther Seminary - Northwestern Hall, Level 2
1501 Fulham Street St Paul, MN, 55108 United States

Luther Seminary is located east of Highway 280 near Como Avenue in St. Paul.

Waxing and Waning Together

Searching for Sea Glass

Meantime art goes on all around you. Drink it in.

Five MInutes with Artist/Designer Marc Zapchenk

Sunday I wrote about the winners of our Bob Dylan Way Manhole Cover contest. One of those winners was Marc Zapchenk, an illustrator and designer from Shoreview, Minnesota. He graciously agreed to share with us a little about his art.

Ennyman: When did you first have an inkling that you would be an artist when you grew up?
MZ: I really enjoyed creating art as a child. I realized I that had some talent and potential in grade school. It wasn't until I was about to graduate high school that I learned I could pursue a career in art.

E: You make a living as an illustrator. How did that come about?
MZ: I started my career as a graphic designer. After that, I was hired to be an art director and I had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate with other professional illustrators. Eventually, I was offered a position as an illustrator and designer.

E: You also express yourself in the fine arts. What is your favorite medium?
MZ: I prefer painting. Currently, I am exploring digital fine art and I am enjoying that process.

E: Who have been your primary sources of inspiration?
MZ: I have had many fabulous visual art teachers over the years. And, although I am a visual artist I am most inspired by singer songwriters like Bob Dylan, Bob Walkenhorst of The Rainmakers, Steve Forbert, Warren Zevon, and Paul Kelly.

E: How would you define the difference between "art" and "design"?
MZ: Because I have worked as an illustrator, a designer, and a fine artist, I have always struggled with how these different disciplines are related. I have come to the conclusion that they are more similar than they are different. However, design and illustration is more intentional. It is about problem solving and clearly communicating ideas. Fine art involves many of the same visual principles, but it is more suggestive. When I produce fine art, I let the image lead the journey... I let it surprise me.

E: It must have been fun to learn you won, and then a surprise to discover you had more work to do. What did you learn through the process of making the Dylan Way Manhole Cover?
MZ: I learned that I had to be patient and open to learning a new process. Most importantly, I had others that were willing to help me make this project a reality. I am most grateful for the Lase Magic, Inc. for laser cutting the prototype board. This project truly would not have happened without their generous assistance.

If you are in Duluth on Bob Dylan's 70th birthday, May 24, you might be able to meet Marc who will be here helping place a couple manhole covers that day. Here's a link to a site where you can see more of Zapchenk's work.