Today, we’d like to introduce you to Sean Killingbeck.
Hi Sean, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Japan. My father was in the Navy so we moved around a lot. I can remember being interested in art my whole life. I pretty much just made art for myself until I moved to Port Huron, MI. When I moved to Port Huron I met others who made art and a bunch of us got together and started a group that operated out of an old factory. We called the group The Shop.
At that time the governor was doing the Cool Cities initiative and her staff were touring different locations in order to get ideas. They toured The Shop building. At that same time, an artist friend of mine (Kevin Kucken) and I were sent to Philadelphia, PA by the city of Port Huron to take part in a Mural seminar/class in order to gain knowledge on how to start a mural project in Port Huron. That ended up not being utilized, unfortunately.
The shop group had many shows but eventually split up. Many of us continued making and showing art on our own. Myself included. My last actual solo show was at Detroit Brewing Works. I make art mostly for myself now but do offer them up for sale on my Facebook page. I’m interested in history so lately I’ve been using existing photographs of mummies as inspiration for paintings.
Imaginary creatures and landscapes also interest me and I like to think when I’m painting them that I’m populating my own little world. I work mostly in watercolor, acrylic, and ink. I have a 17-year-old daughter (Magdalen) Maggie, who is in college. I live in Kalamazoo and currently work at papermill.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a mostly smooth road honestly. Just a lot of hard work making bills over the years.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The job that I pay my bills with is I am a tech 2 coater/chemical unloader for a paper mill. It pays well and affords me the time to pursue my interests. I work four 12-hour days and then have four days off.
What do you think about happiness?
I love hiking.
I’ve been saving my money for some time to buy land and put a little off-grid cabin on it in northern Michigan. Recently, I made that purchase. I like hunting for fossils and sometimes take trips out of state to do that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskill77?igsh=ZjY2NGY4ejNlMDI5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artisticabominations?mibextid=ZbWKwL
