The Light of Painting
by Jan Kobler
Jan Kobler, born on May 7th in Brno, Czech Republic is an artist and wizard extraordinaire. Since his youth he is devoted to painting. He has studied film directing at FAMU University in Prague. He is interested in magic, spiritual life, folk healing and bioenergy. These themes are often reflected in his works. He now lives in a small town in Moravia, Czech Republic and he loves traveling the world with his art works.
Jan, when did you realize that you like painting? What was your first painting? What inspires you and how do you start materializing your ideas?
I have enjoyed painting from an early age. I have never had an interest in realistic drawings and paintings, but I've always had a great eye for combining colors and working with emotions that art conveys. The first piece at art school was a man who is taking a bath and is fully dressed. During adolescence, my mood changed and I soon discovered and filtered in a more sexual or even pornographic tone in my works. Generally, I was fascinated by the body and acts. I painted naked silhouettes with butterfly wings etc. At present, my orientation is more in a straight line toward the spiritual life. My paintings express the state of soul rather than anything concerning the body and rational mind. Body is not seen as an instrument of lust and admiration for the form anymore. I see it more as the home of the soul, full of feelings, moods, emotions and dreams. Throughout my work there is certain a sense of magic and ambiguity.
Do you like listening to music or drinking wine while painting or do you prefer to focus entirely on your work and finish most of it right away?
I need to listen to music every time. It makes the entire process more pleasant. I no longer drink alcohol, I no longer smoke cigarettes. I do not believe in any of that any longer. But I need to get into a trance to levels of alpha, when my brain stops thinking rationally and just energy flow appears. It’s then when work may attain some value. Painted emotion, intuition, great shamanic spirit.
I have enjoyed painting from an early age. I have never had an interest in realistic drawings and paintings, but I've always had a great eye for combining colors and working with emotions that art conveys. The first piece at art school was a man who is taking a bath and is fully dressed. During adolescence, my mood changed and I soon discovered and filtered in a more sexual or even pornographic tone in my works. Generally, I was fascinated by the body and acts. I painted naked silhouettes with butterfly wings etc. At present, my orientation is more in a straight line toward the spiritual life. My paintings express the state of soul rather than anything concerning the body and rational mind. Body is not seen as an instrument of lust and admiration for the form anymore. I see it more as the home of the soul, full of feelings, moods, emotions and dreams. Throughout my work there is certain a sense of magic and ambiguity.
Do you like listening to music or drinking wine while painting or do you prefer to focus entirely on your work and finish most of it right away?
I need to listen to music every time. It makes the entire process more pleasant. I no longer drink alcohol, I no longer smoke cigarettes. I do not believe in any of that any longer. But I need to get into a trance to levels of alpha, when my brain stops thinking rationally and just energy flow appears. It’s then when work may attain some value. Painted emotion, intuition, great shamanic spirit.
What are some messages you want to transmit through your art work?
It used to be different, but nowadays I try to tell people that life is light. That life is love. That life is good. That life is freedom. We sleep, although we should be awake. That while around us is the love of God (and I am not Christian and I am not member of only spiritual or religious group), we are wasting our lives in struggle and fear. Each of us will die and none of us will take any riches - money, fame, or medals to the grave. Life could be more than just stuff that overcrowds our lives.
What is life like for those who make art in Prague?
I have spent some time in Prague. Nowadays, you can find me in the small town of Prostejov in central Moravia. Generally I could summarize the work in Prague as very satanic and demonic. Prague is on one side the cultural center, beauty and intelligence of our country. On the other side, it is the center of vice, misery and evil. In Prague it is very easy to succumb to lust and get drunk in illusions, drugs and mental pornography. The magic of the city is often very black. This was also reflected in my work. My images were dark and full of pain, tension and longing for something better, longing for light. In my current town I feel that all the darkness has disappeared (or left) and this is reflected in my work. My paintings are no longer depressed and full of sorrow and pain, but in them there is more hope, light, playfulness and love.
What advice do you have for young painters with the desire to express their talent, but also figuring out how to introduce their works?
This is a difficult question for a really good answer. I can only say “my way”. Your way could possibly be different. I paint because putting energy into works is the way I help people, future owners of my art, on their way of life. Previously, I thought a lot of about publicity and advertising, but currently I do not care about it. I believe that if the work is good and it has an impact on people, it improve their lives, fate itself will bring it to them. Like this interview. My friend mentioned my work, now this interview promoting my work, I myself did not have to do anything. That's how I see it. I believe artists do not have to do anything, art makes it on its own.
How can people purchase your paintings?
I have my Facebook profile Jan Kobler. Anyone can reach out. Price is always set by mutual agreement, I like to communicate. I love those who are interested in my paintings. I want to know something about their lives, I want to know what they are like, I want to know who is interested in buying my works. They will have my baby in their homes, my art; it is impossible for me to be uninterested in them. I also like to paint by request or special order. What I consider to be some of my best works were commissions. The commissioners have told me to express their souls through may paintings. And then I made my works accordingly. These art pieces are forever associated with their owners. It's pure goodness. Fascinating magic.
