Born in: Rainham, Kent
Lives in: Whitstable, Kent
Occupation: Aritst
Studied: Illustration at Medway College of Art and Design
Art training: None
Artwork theme: The ocean and the majesty of nature
Favorite art piece: “Europe after the Rain” by Max Ernst
MOVA Globe design: Sea Life MOVA Globe
Website: robinkonieczny.co.uk
“You paint what you like, what intrigues you, what speaks to you.”
– ROBIN KONIECZNY
How did you get into painting and when did you realize you wanted it to be your profession?
I remember drawing a plane in junior school and everyone was saying how good it was. I was thinking, “Well I just did it. What’s all the fuss about? And maybe I should do some more.” I’m still doing it everyday…how lucky am I?
How has your art changed over the years?
I feel it has grown as I have grown, and over time hopefully it has attained more depth.
How is your personality reflected in your work?
I feel you can’t separate the two, although my wife would say I am tidier in my art than at home.
What type of paint do you generally work with and why do you prefer it?
I love water colors! It’s so immediate and I like the process of building up layer after layer. I never got into painting with oil paints because I was always too impatient. Oils take too long to dry.
How do you overcome creative blocks?
Go for a surf. That always works.
What food, drink, and song inspires you?
Mexican food, bitter shandy, and “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd.
Do you think your art being in motion, as on the MOVA Globe, brings out anything different or new in the piece?
Yes! I feel you view it a new and exciting way. I like the fact that you sort of catch a passing glimpse of it. It catches the eye, then moves to reveal more, and then more.
If you could go back to another artistic time period, which one would you go to?
Pre B.C. Greece. How on earth did they sculpt those statues? Mind-bending!
Which artist, living or dead, would you like to hang out with for a day, and why?
Salvadore Dali because he was completely nuts.
Would you re-do or change any of your finished artworks?
All of them. After time, you look back and there is always something you can improve, always. It’s a universal truth.
Robin Koni was born in 1962 to a Polish Cobbler and an English rose in the country of Kent, commonly referred to as “the garden of England”. Very early on, Konieczny began drawing and painting as much as he could. Inspired by London art galleries and long cycle rides in the Kent countryside, Konieczny took always took his watercolors with him and began painting from his life experiences. He studied Illustration for four years at Medway College of Art and Design, where he passed his courses with honors. After getting his degree, Konieczny soon began working for the world famous MGL Licensing, where he cultivated his craft and unique style. He has since been living in Whitstable, a quaint seaside town in Kent where he has been greatly influenced by the sky and seascapes. If Konieczny is not holding a paintbrush, you can find him surfing snorkeling, canoeing or mucking about in the water.
