Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Pisik.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started my woodwork out of necessity. When I moved into my first apartment I needed to make a pot rack, shelves and other items. I bought the tools needed and figured out how to make what I needed. From there I guess I caught the “bug” and started to make more and more creative items and shifted my attention to art pieces. This was a hobby as I continued to work in the corporate world but I started to receive recognition being classified as a “Master Woodworker” by the Woodworking Guild of Georgia, being accepted into numerous juried museum shows, and then last year I was introduced to Marianne Lambert, curator at the Swan Coach House Gallery, who asked me to participate in one of their invitational shows. From there I was asked to be in two more galleries. After a bit of soul searching about what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life I decided this year that I wanted to be an artist full time. I left my job as a Director at a major corporate institution and am now creating art almost daily.
Please tell us about your art.
I work in wood creating mostly art boxes and wall sculpture. Most of my work is composed of unique geometric patterns generated out of highly contrasting species fashioned together with a technique I perfected and call “Through-Pattern Construction.” This technique allows the complex patterns to pass from the outside through to the inside of my boxes ensuring every facet is finely decorated.
I primarily avoid dyes and stains and instead continuously search for woods with naturally contrasting colors and tones to accent my work. Some of my pieces are constructed with over a dozen species of woods and are composed of over a thousand pieces which appear to be seamlessly joined together into a solid composition.
I have an engineering background and think most of the complexity of my work has its roots in this background. People who see my work tend to be drawn to the uniqueness of the patterns and the feel of the wood. They seem to be enchanted by what is possible to be created from wood that they haven’t previously experienced.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I find success when people are drawn to my work…regardless of if they decide to buy it or not. In addition, the work needs to be created for myself. If I don’t love a piece, then I don’t feel I’ve succeeded, even of others like it. I know I’ve done a good job when I put the final touches on a piece, step back, and involuntarily smile when I see the final product. That’s my litmus test. I think if I were to create works strictly for others and not find my own internal joy, then I’m being insincere as an artist.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work is currently on display in two amazing galleries in the Atlanta area, my website, and via routine posts on Instagram. I also love commissions where I can create unique pieces that are designed for a very specific person or event. People can contact me via the links on my website.
www.dougpisik.com
www.instagram.com/dougpisik/
Signature Gallery:
3267 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
www.thesignatureshop.com/brands/doug-pisik/
Taylor Kinzel Gallery:
16 Elizabeth Way, Roswell, GA 30075
www.taylorkinzelgallery.com/collections/doug-pisik
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dougpisik.com
- Phone: 404-307-2185
- Email: pisikwood@bellsouth.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/dougpisik/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/doug.pisik
Image Credit:
Doug Pisik
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