Photo by Kat Van Horne
I’ve known Walter Fydryck for many years. We met through a mutual friend (Lynne Fitzgerald) and we used to constantly run see each other at art exhibits.
Lately, we have been running into each other at both Ken Hirte’s monthly art party (on every first Friday) and the monthly openings at the Art Colony (we are both regulars there.) Other artists that often exhibit their work there include, Adam Helman, Rebecca Kerlin, Frank Mascenic, Kirk Rohrbaugh, James Vellner, David and Nancy Bechtol, and Kat Van Horne (she took the photo.) I recently sat down and spoke to Walter about his current exhibit and his overall career.
Can you tell me about your newest exhibit?
Well, it’s a two person art show featuring my work and the art of Matt Geer. The theme is Taking Sides. Matt’s work is more male oriented (see https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/matt-geer.html ) in terms of subject matter and my work depicts more female subjects.
Can you tell me about your art background?
I went to the American Academy of Art. I studied commercial art, and I have worked in advertising. They needed photographers in the field at the time.
Can you tell me about your mentors and influences?
Well in New York I met Richard Adedon (see https://www.pinterest.de/pin/498140408767270587) and I also encountered Victor Skrebneski from Chicago (see http://skrebneskiphotographs.com/home.html). Their work was significant to me. I also loved Pablo Picasso, and I absorbed stuff from all the art museums in New York. I gained experience doing art when I was an assistant art director in advertising, but I am mostly self-taught.
Can you discuss the bird exhibit at the Art Colony?
People can see these works at all the art colony openings at 2630 W. Fletcher (The next one is on Saturday, September 9) Some of my works have been reproduced in Artascent, an international art magazine. https://artascent.com/walter-fydryck/
How did you end up at having your work at the Art Colony?
Well I knew the curator/gallery owner, David Leonardis, and he introduced me to Mark Thomas who owned the Alley. Thomas interviewed me and he let me stay in the studio. Thomas has one of the biggest collections of rock’n roll photography. Many of these photos are by Mark Hauser (see http://www.hauserportraits.com/celebrity) .
Photo by Kat Van Horne
