Fred Krakowiak
Fred Krakowiak
Wildlife artist, noted speaker, and award-winning author, Fred Krakowiak, realized his genuine love for the animal kingdom at the age of five after a first visit to the zoo with his grandfather. His respective books, Africa: An Artist’s Safari & The Artist’s Safari, exhibit his prowess as a photographer and artist while also being a guide in Africa. Both books creatively chronicle his travels in Africa. Krakowiak was inspired to capture African animals due to his awareness that one day his artwork and stories may be all that remain of these majestic creatures. His appreciation and respect for the mysterious beauty of these animals and the land inspired the motivation for creating his beautiful books. Described as a “feast for the eyes” by the Virginia Quarterly Review, Africa: An Artist’s Safari was the recipient of the prestigious 2008 Ben Franklin Award for large format cover design
Krakowiak’s speaking presentations provide the audience the passion and knowledge to be successful correlating his safari adventures to one’s daily life. Recognized as an expert on wilderness safari via foot in Africa, his presentation of unscripted adventures are as breathtaking as his experiences. He leads his audience on a virtual safari and has the ability to bring the magic of Africa to the room and equate his experiences with the skills needed in today’s business arena to inspire real leadership. Krakowiak believes that traveling in Africa is about total immersion in a place where one’s life is narrowed to what is immediately before your eyes.
His art work is all about spontaneity and movement, believing that no creature alive sits completely still to have their portrait painted. With over 25 years of conventional study in various mediums including copper, bronze, oil, sumi and dye on silk, Krakowiak’s foundation has been his formal training in the ancient art of Sumi (pictures in ink). The fundamentals of Sumi require the artist to learn from mistakes and often omit details. His paintings illustrate that what is missing is as important as what remains. This skill allows viewers to become involved in the painting by filling in the missing details with their imagination and experience the power of action at that exact moment.
Krakowiak demonstrates his art at zoos and museums across the country. He has exhibited his art and given presentations on his African travels at numerous zoos including the San Diego Zoo, Phoenix Zoo, Salt Lake City’s Hogle Zoo, Albuquerque BioPark Zoo, Sacramento Zoo, and Cincinnati Zoo while also appearing at Tucson’s International Wildlife Museum, Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, Safari West Africa, Golf Fore Africa, among others. His artwork is commissioned internationally by both private and corporate collectors.
For further information or to view Fred’s amazing art, visit his Web site at www.maverickbrushstrokes.com.
