John Chehak
I was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After graduating from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 1973, I practiced retail pharmacy in my hometown. In my late forties, I noticed my friends pursuing new hobbies, which inspired me to explore my long-dormant artistic abilities. Wanting paint that dried quickly, was water-soluble but not watercolor, and was odorless, I chose undiluted acrylic on paper and canvas.
After attending a few local art shows and doing some research, I applied to regional art fairs within 250 miles of home. My goal was to gauge public interest and raise funds to purchase more supplies by selling my work. As I gained entry into juried fairs, I faced new costs, including event fees, a quality tent, flooring, a decorative rug, lighting, and display panels, as well as hotel, food, gas, and transportation expenses.
My work has gained notable recognition. It has been featured on the University of Iowa’s website, the Daily Palette. In 2002, I was chosen to display my artwork in the Iowa Governor’s Mansion. One of my early ‘Rooftops' paintings was selected as the cover photo for JMCP, a magazine for pharmacists, in January 2010. Cover Editor Sheila Macho commented that the painting's Cubist style is reminiscent of Georges Braque and suggests depth of meaning, possibly symbolizing urban overcrowding or my own emotional landscape at the time.
In 2015, one of my Iowa landscapes was selected as banner art for the MFA Creative Writing Program at Iowa
State University. In 2016, I held a one-man show at the University of Iowa Biomedical Research Facility. I was honored as the Commemorative Print Artist for the 2018 St. Louis Art Fair and selected as poster artist for the 2020 57th Street Art Fair in Chicago. The Kavanaugh Gallery once described my work as characterized by muted colors, unique subject matter, and imaginative origins, attracting collectors nationwide.
State University. In 2016, I held a one-man show at the University of Iowa Biomedical Research Facility. I was honored as the Commemorative Print Artist for the 2018 St. Louis Art Fair and selected as poster artist for the 2020 57th Street Art Fair in Chicago. The Kavanaugh Gallery once described my work as characterized by muted colors, unique subject matter, and imaginative origins, attracting collectors nationwide.My subjects have included urban scenes of New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and New Orleans. But I still prefer the sedate yet captivating landscapes of the Midwest. An online reviewer remarked, “Native Iowan John Chehak is a masterful draftsman and painter…His wide expanse of expertise and style make his artwork a treat to explore.” For the past 15 years, my wife and I have participated in numerous juried art fairs across the Midwestern United States.