A Man of Many Colors - meet Bill Thierfelder

Photo by CLIFF SATRIANO, "Photo Stories, New York"

This week I continue profiling artist friends with a man whose philosophy and approach to life I admire as a fine example of a Jack of All Trades/Renaissance Man. His passion for contributing to the social good while pursuing a wide spectrum of interests sets a wonderful example for others, so I’m pleased to introduce Bill Thierfelder of Long Island, New York. This week some of Bill’s artwork will be featured at The Gallery at 40 South in Patchogue, NY - opening this Saturday, April 16. 

Bill has a long list of credits, but when I first met him I knew him more as the Professor of English at Dowling College and as a friend of a friend of a friend! Since that time I’ve discovered his many talents and gathered a respect for his philosophy and approach towards life, which finds it equally important to enjoy his artistic pursuits while giving back to the well-being of the community. He does this while maintaining a zest and curiosity for life. Over the years I’ve enjoyed gazing upon his colorful artistic pursuits, read some of his clever science fiction novels, heard him give well-researched lectures on historical figures, and cheered him on as he’s raised money and awareness for local organizations. Bill has continued to utilize his experience in new ways and continually develop himself through time, a key element for all Renaissance Men to embrace.

"Opus 5B" by Bill Thierfelder - January 2011

I put forth a few questions for Bill to answer to give a greater glimpse into this knowledgeable and well-rounded man:

1. How do you describe yourself as an artist?
Eclectic. Art, writing, and motivational speaking form the core of who I am as an artist--with occasional forays into music composition. These are the ways I “speak” to the world around me. (I also listen that way, too. Exploring art, reading, attending lectures, and listening to music all fill up the spiritual well.)

2. What are the main genres you explore as a Jack of All Trades?
Writing, Drawing, and Motivational Speaking.

3. What is your favorite medium to work and why?
In my writing, I love to experiment with narrative possibilities and multiple perspectives--viewing the same set of characters or incidents from multiple angles. Why? Because I feel connected to the idea of perceiving things in multifaceted ways. All this rooted in my study of phenomenology and existentialism. In my art, I enjoy using some of the basic “childhood” tools--crayons, markers, ink pens, and colored pencils. Art was one of my first loves and I continue to use the media I used back then.

4.  How do you organize your time to complete work? Any trade secrets to successfully being a Jack of All Trades?
I work on something when it feels right. Sometimes that’s in the morning, but most times it’s afternoons or evenings. When I create, I need to step away frequently and do other things and then come back, so I might end up working on a lecture for a library, a piece of art, and a short story all on the same day, switching off from one to the other with other things in between. So I guess you could say that I work in “sound bites” of fifteen minutes up to an hour or so before I switch off to something else. Fortunately, I switch gears easily because even though I may stop working on a drawing to head off to work on a story, the piece of art is still percolating in my head. Maybe a good comparison or metaphor might be choral singing. The complete work is really made up of sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses working together to create harmony. So art might be the sopranos, writing the altos, lecturing the tenors, and my other creative “stuff” (like cooking and gardening) the basses. I am the “complete work.” When you ask who I am, I’m those four separate voices working together to make a whole.

"Beethoven Piano Concerto 5" by Bill Thierfelder 2008

5. What and who have been major influences and inspirations for your work?
 I love William Blake who meshed his writing and his art into a unified whole. One worked with the other. My list of favorite writers is endless, depending on the mood. Toni Morrison, Walt Whitman, the English Romantic poets, Emerson, Thoreau, existential writers, and all those grand Canadian ladies: Shields, Atwood, Munro. As for art, my “temple” is the Museum of Modern Art in New York. I can wander the galleries for hours, absorbing everything I see. The American Museum of Natural History and The Metropolitan Opera have also been and remain favorite, important “watering holes.”

6. Do you have a story you would like to share about the circumstances behind any particular work?
 I think all my work--the drawings and the stories--are very much informed by my day-to-day feelings and ideas. I really don’t write or draw anything “autobiographical” in the sense that I re-tell specific incidents. But I use my feelings and ideas as a launching point. A lot of my sense of isolation over the years (some of it self-imposed for self-protection) can be found in the kinds of characters and plot lines I create. My need to organize and synthesize (which is rooted in the emotionally unstable life I endured as a child) can be found in all my art. On the surface, it’s an abstract, seemingly spontaneous and colorful explosion of vivid colors. But if you look carefully, you’ll see that each drawing is really constructed from intricate layers of geometric shapes and or repeated, intricate design “bytes.”

7. What is next for you?
 My work as an artist is getting increasing recognition--I’ve been shown in Manhattan and at two different Long Island galleries in just the first four months of this year. I hope to see that trajectory bloom. I also continue to write stories and keep submitting them; someday “the break” will come. I don’t write for myself; I want to share with others and create a conversation. And I love my motivational work shops called MAKING WINGS: LIVING DELIBERATELY--what better thing to do than to help people see that they are treasure, that they can live meaning-filled lives, and that within them are all the tools they need for spiritual, emotional, and physical contentment.


You can discover more about Bill Thierfelder on his website: http://www.makingwings.net/

And for more of the  photographer Cliff Satriano's "Photo Stories NY": http://photostoriesny.com

"Final Exam: Question Three" by Bill Thierfelder 2009

"Final Exam: Answer Three" by Bill Thierfelder 2009

CRAZY FOR A FOX (Part 1): KRYS

Krys Fox, photographer and performance artist, poses at his apartment on 12-15-10

One of the most important elements to have along a creative journey is community. Whether the experiences on the path of life offer up challenging twists where friendship encourages us to move through them, or exciting turns where friendship to share it with enhances the excitement, building a connection with people that have different views on life offers up many rewards. The weaving together of different views enriches our palette as we come to understand what drives other people on their own personal journey, giving us the ability to reflect upon ours with a new perspective. Human nature often seeks to make comparisons or compete with each other, but when we can see beyond our ego’s individual needs and see each of us as manifestations of the same cosmic singularity, as one creative force with many variations, we can revel in and resonate with the lives of others.

Throughout history there are great examples where groups of artists gathered to share ideas, contributing to a cross-pollination of energies. This concept has always been near and dear to my heart, and when I see it in this light, I really get to admire the qualities that make us all unique flowers blossoming in the garden of life.

Krys & a flower blossoming in LA circa 2003

So, after that introduction, we come to a profile of another dear colleagues on this creative journey: Krys Fox. This week, Krys celebrates his first gallery opening in his new home of Brooklyn, a group show with some other talented artist called WOLF PACK opening tomorrow February 10 --  see WOLFPACK INVITE
If you are in the NYC area, this is not one to miss, as the synergy of these artists and the “pack” they hang with is electric and palpable through the advance buzz on the internet. I wish I could be there, but can admire the energy from afar.

WOLFPACK: Scooter LaForge, Walt Cessna & Krys Fox photographed by Devin Elijah Bklyn 10

In the ten plus years I’ve known Krys I’ve always admired his bold and unusual approach to life and the great charisma and style he exudes while doing it. He’s is a living work of art, reflected on the surface through his flare for fashion, make-up, hair-style, and tattoos, but also deeply present in his adventurous spirit and bold heart inside. As much as he has been influenced by the art world around him, he has influenced others in their styles. But few can pull off the edgy flare like Krys can. His unique look and ability to pull any second-hand frock into haute couture has made him a most excellent model for many photographers, and come to great use as a performance artist on stage. But Krys also applies his keen eye towards styling models for his own photography, and the various make-up and distortions he gives to them brings out the vulnerable and mysterious. You can always tell a model has been given the unique Krys Fox treatment...

Modeling after being "Krysed up" in 2000

When I met Krys he flattered me by asking me to model for him, and thus a great connection was made. It was one of those mutually attracted vibes that was discovered to really be a friendship, an admiration for a fellow creative flower in the garden. Our pollination was through art, and after seeing just how amazing his photography was from that session and the pictures in his portfolio, I knew Krys needed to have his own gallery show, but neither of quite had the funds. But the intention was put out into the Universe, and answered. We worked with a producing partner interested in helping contribute to the printing and framing his works for his first gallery opening at Phyllis’ Garage in 2001.

Krys Fox Photography at Phyllis' Garage 2001

I’ll be talking a lot about Phyllis’ Garage in the months to come, for this year marks its 10 year anniversary celebration, PGX and the theme is Re*Connection, a reunion to bring together some of the original artists of the performance and art space both physically and virtually online. More information can be found at: http://pgxproductions.blogspot.com/

Jeff, Krys, & Jason (the three producers) at Phyllis' Garage 2001

I feel it’s important for artists to also be patrons of the arts when possible. I would urge everyone to experience this along their creative paths and make it part of their palette. To have been both a model and co-producer (with Jeff Roberts), then see Krys’ amazing works of early photography hanging up on the walls of the Phyllis' Garage gallery space I co-created (with R. Sky Palkowitz) was a great thrill. To see him continuing to evolve and create his photography, taking on new models for his new show, furthers that thrill. Krys and his art was meant to shine, I've just been lucky to get to have been a small part of it during my own path. There may be a bit of a selfish rush one could find in that, but there’s also a pure bliss that comes from watching a friend cross-pollinating anew with others and blossoming!

It's marvelous to have watched Krys' development take shape. He applies his spirit to everything he does, mashing up bits of culture with a great dash of himself to spice up his work to give it that unique Krys flavor. Wherever he goes, he dives into the scene becoming a well-known part of it. His recent work had definitely been invigorated by the energy of New York and his partner and friends there, but the talent is all his and it comes through in every image. I look forward to what's next.

"Krysed up" again in 2003

Keep your eyes and hearts open. While you work on your own art, see what else is out there that moves you. Enrich your life by deepening your connection and support of other artists. Be a conduit of the Universe for manifesting what is destined. Make it a goal this year to model for a photographer, pose for a painter, sponsor a project, market an event, or gather a group meeting; whatever form it takes — cross-pollinate.

So onward brother Krys! BLOSSOM!

To keep track of Krys Fox’s work, follow his photography blog at: http://krysfox.tumblr.com/

And check out WOLF PACK:
http://www.artslant.com/ny/events/show/145507-wolfpack

Krys at his Phyllis' Garage opening in 2001

Krys' works on the wall at the LAGLC Village in 2004

Another Krys pic from our 2000 photo session