surReal World

Garages, labs, cubicles, bars, McDonald’s, courtrooms – we all work somewhere. Most of the time the work place is strictly dictated by the vocation. You’re not going to find the Brewer’s playing at the mall and your doctor won’t be giving you a physical exam on the bus – at least I hope not.

Art is an exception; artists set up studios in spare rooms, attics, dank basements, warehouses, barns; plein air artists work where ever they’re inspired; graffiti artists use alleys or more inappropiate spots. Some artists need sterile white walls and some prefer chaos. Brookfiled artist Jeff Sadowski prefers something closer to Oz.

Jeff’s environment is truly an extension of his work. Heavily influenced by Dali, and other surrealist, Jeff’s studio is a strange place where Pixy Stiks function as support beams; Holly Hobbie, Thundercats and Rambo vintage lunch boxes hang from the ceiling by a thread; Scrubbing Bubbles and Kiss action figures fill the shelves; a giant cheeseburger on the floor and a small collection of art on the walls.

The bulletin board holds pictures of carnival rides, inspirational color combinations, an autographed picture of the Olsen twins, as well as a signed photo of legendary montage artist Winston Smith, who Jeff has been recently collaborating with.

Jeff’s studio features nearly has many obscure pop cultural references as his paintings. His most recent work, an homage to sugary sweet breakfast cereal, featuring dozens of reference to the food stuff; including: milk bottles, a tiny portrait of W.K. Kellogg and the trio of elves that pimp for Rice Krispies, to name just a few.

What surprises me most is that after being a working artist for over 20 years; painting album covers for obscure metal bands and backdrops for the stage sets for such acts as Santana, the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead; Jeff is just “feeling comfortable enough to do his own thing” – that’s surreal.

See Jeff’s stuff at: http://www.jeffsadowskiart.com