Jeffry Jon Krafft

History & Artistic Statement

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I’ve enjoyed the challenge of educating myself in various skills if and when needed throughout my life.  And  the process of painting has been no exception.  I have however, also spent a lot of time (and money) learning through formal education in architectural design, construction management, and most recently, a masters degree in art education.  Having taught adults several years before obtaining that last degree, this experience has given me a unique, well-rounded perspective no one resource can offer.  Helping sincere art students take command of their own art education has been an on-going,  life-long endeavor.   I also believe a good instructor must forever grow, experiment, and develop their own skill-set and knowledge-base in order to be most useful teaching others.  You cannot teach what you cannot do yourself.

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Wanting to help the most people try or discover the great satisfaction I've had creating art myself, I learned to do every aspect in film and educational TV production.  This platform not only reaches tens of thousands more, but video, sound and graphics offer content and teaching methods the live classroom cannot replicate.  Each having unique advantages in learning, I often incorporate the two with students.  

 

My personal artistic career goals include: Producing museum quality paintings that impact individuals and the art world in a meaningful way, being known for my music and literature  accompanying select paintings, and as a notable authority in fine art education.

 

Regarding the artwork itself, I've always enjoy the subject natter and styles of hundreds of other artists.  So like a good chef, I enjoy the challenge of creating the same wide variety that different collectors might appreciate, and enjoy on their walls.  I'd simply get bored painting the same subject matter, using the same colors or techniques year after year.

 

From various styles in representational work, to concept art, and everything in-between - all are of interest to me.  Much like music, I might create something just for the aesthetics, mood, or atmosphere created in a space.  Other times, the concept or idea comes first.  How can I "say this" or spark this conversation without writing or speaking a word?   Possible in any style, I enjoy this unique challenge only the visual artists can offer.  If and when this is the goal, I consider a piece successful when the majority of people "get my message". 

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Having been a professional musician and part-time composer long before painting, I also decided to offer collectors something a bit different - a multi-sensory experience where a music score and short story are written to accompany select paintings or illustrations.   A single, or series of pieces, can tell a much longer story, or engender a very elaborate philosophy or concept.  My "Paintings with Music" page offer a couple examples.

 

In the end, I’ve been most inspired by the great genre painters seen in the world’s best classical museums.  These paintings usually portray the great majesty of nature, the creatures that live within it, or the beauty found in the human figure.   I spend the most time on work possessing some combination of these subjects.

 

Painting the beauty in a world which can often be "ugly" in many respects, is most satisfying - and believe, good for the "soul”.  Visual artists have a unique advantage in this regard.  I realized a long time ago that people tend to appreciate things they often take for granted every day when those very same things are portrayed in a painting or sculpture.  It’s an odd, yet interesting phenomenon.  If artists ever abandoned this great tradition, I fear the world will rarely "see" what’s right outside their window driving down the road. Technology has greatly contributed to this problem.  So, I often use the visual arts as a means to remind people of the beauty and endless visual stimulations the world they live in has to offer. 

  

I also believe professional artists inherit a certain amount of accountability to their patrons by constantly striving to grow and evolve creatively.  I myself hope to not only continue developing my technical skills, but more importantly, continue to pursue the countless avenues artists have in order to communicate.