I started my career as a designer and illustrator, after graduation with a BFA from the College of Visual Arts, working for different design agencies in Minneapolis and freelancing as an illustrator. In 1995 I started my own design studio, Preslicka Studio, Inc., creating packaging, point of sale, corporate identities, and sales materials and have been doing this ever since.
Plein Air Painting – www.PreslickaStudio.com/fineart
Many years ago, thinking that I wanted to paint wildlife, I decided to get out of my studio to learn from nature. I also wanted to better understand the light in nature so as to improve my studio painting skills. Although I didn’t know it at the time, I was becoming a “plein air” painter. During my day job I do graphic design and illustration. In that business everything is deadlines. Being able to quickly to capture and communicate an idea is essential, the same is true for Plein Air painting. I enjoy the whole experience: finding a location, choosing the view, setting up, braving the elements, and dealing with changes in light and weather. Feeling a part of the scene I am painting. These are all an integral part of my paintings. Many times I will look at one of my paintings and have only a faint recollection of how I went from a blank board to the finished painting. I will, however, have an intimate memory of the way the wind was blowing and how many clouds passed by. When someone views one of my paintings I hope they, in some way, experience what I did.
Wall Murals – www.TheBigPictureMurals.net
In 2008 I began painting wall murals in schools, libraries, day cares, aquatic centers and other public buildings. To date I have completed over 100 murals. My true passion is painting. Painting is the balance to the client driven commercial work I do each day. I thoroughly enjoy the whole process of mural creation – from the initial meetings, to brainstorming, to illustrating on the computer, to finally when the paint hits the wall. Learning components have become a standard with my projects – involving community members and students is important to me. The hands-on process adds even more value to a project. I enjoy painting for all ages and for all types of spaces. I enjoy coming up with a “solution” to the space to achieve my client’s goals. Each mural is carefully concepted and designed before painted. The murals are designed to work with the space and enhance the environment. I usually use acrylic and laytex paint and have experience working on canvas, wood, wall board, concrete block and alumibond board.
Community Contribution & Arts Learning Programs
I believe in giving back to the community and sharing my skills and knowledge to inspire others to go after their dream. I have donated art work and/or murals every year since I began doing murals. I was a founding member of the Savage Arts Council. This is an organization that helps to promote the arts in the Savage and the Southern Metro area, through such events such as Art Competitions, Scott County Art Crawl and Minnesota River Arts festival. I was founding member of Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, OPM is a group of Plein Air Painters who regularly get together and paint and promote plein air painting to other painters and the community. They have regular shows, paint-outs, and other arts events. I have hosted summer art classes for the community and was a volunteer for Art Masterpiece. I have also donated my time to do Career Day Presentations to students to explain the variety of career options that are available to artists.
Collaborative Mural Programs
A few years ago I developed a program offers an opportunity for approximately 200 students to work with me directly to create a mural. This is a week-long, hands-on, educational program I bring to elementary, middle and high schools. This program gives students real world practical instruction that is fun. Students are collaboratively engaged in the process of creating a piece of art from initial ideas to final painted mural. Throughout the program they learn art concepts, engage in creative thinking and collaborative learning. Students will engage in interactive lessons, learn about value and color temperature and the grid technique for painting mural. They will also gain an understanding of some of the avenues available for artists. The program ends with a piece of art that students have created. This program gives students the opportunity to create a piece of art that represents who they are and that fits together with other students to create something larger than themselves. I developed this program because I enjoy sharing art with others, I’ve always thought it would be fun to be an art teacher, so this program allows me to experience that dream.
