Bigger than Life . . .
An Interview with Jon Lange
An Interview with Jon Lange
Where do you get the ideas for your paintings?
When did you get started?
When was the first time you entered a competition?
What are the key things people notice about your work?
Many of my ideas come from photographs that are interesting to me and a bit different. I will tweak it here and there, move, maybe use brighter or duller colors, change size. For example, if a picture shows a family of four I might just paint two of them, and in some cases maybe even change the background.
I became interested in art in the second grade. Nothing else seemed to grab my attention as much as the art classes. I was never athletic or a scholar but for some reason, those primary colors intrigued me. However, I didn’t get serious until high school. I would take any and every class that pertained to art. In my senior year, I was accepted to the Creative Center for Art but my high school art teacher and mentor, Mr. R.K. Bryon suggested I go to a four-year university. Since I respected him so much, I went to Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. There I studied and received my Bachelor of Science in Art Education, with a minor in history.
The following year I got my first teaching job at Riverside High School in North Dearborn Heights, as the high school art teacher. Eventually I taught elementary and middle school art and history.
Feeling the need for more, I went to Eastern Michigan University (1972 to 1976) to obtain my Masters in Art. By this time I had a family to support, as well as a mortgage and all the other good stuff.
Feeling the need for more, I went to Eastern Michigan University (1972 to 1976) to obtain my Masters in Art. By this time I had a family to support, as well as a mortgage and all the other good stuff.
I have always worked two jobs. My teaching job plus Men’s Warehouse, Faygo, a potato chip factory, and Chrysler. One morning, I was having breakfast with some friends and I looked across the restaurant parking lot and there was this sign shop. I went in and talked to the owner, Bill. I started there part-time in 1980, hand-making signs for various companies for 15 years. All good things must come to an end and eventually the computer took over making the signs that I was hand painting. So I quit. But I had learned so much from that sign shop.
In 1984, I bought a Harley motorcycle and while riding with friends, I noticed most of the gas tanks, fenders, etc. were painted with these beautiful images. I found out most of the ‘flames’ were air brushed. I knew I could do it, or at least give it a try. I set up a studio in my basement and taught myself airbrushing. That’s when, I believe, I found my ‘niche,’ I seem to be able to use my imagination more when I airbrush.
I entered what I titled ‘The Fat Man’ in the Ogemaw County Fair. He was playing a guitar and leaning back. I only painted him from the waist up. He won Best of Show and I took home a whopping $9. For the next three years I entered a piece or two and would win. That was a lot of fun!
First, the size. I love to paint LARGE! There is no rhyme or reason, I just love to create on a larger scale. Second, I think the details. I tend to use a softer touch. Third, I love airbrushing flames because no flame is the same and I try to make them look like fire. I tend to challenge myself and will paint out of my comfort zone. Some people say my work is bit “edgy.”
What drives you?
When I get an idea in my head, I have to, MUST, go for it and paint it. If it isn’t exactly what I have envisioned, I will revise and revise and then scrap it if it’s not what I imagined.
When I was trying to learn airbrushing I took a class at Schoolcraft College. There I met an older woman who said she paints from her heart with no rules. Made sense to me.
SO, now I paint from my heart with no rules…and have fun.
.
When I was trying to learn airbrushing I took a class at Schoolcraft College. There I met an older woman who said she paints from her heart with no rules. Made sense to me.
SO, now I paint from my heart with no rules…and have fun.
.
