Featured Artist: Roy Kerckhoffs Art
We had the pleasure of interviewing Roy Kerckhoffs recently, a San Diego based artist and photographer who is highly regarded for his work.
About Roy Kerckhoffs
Roy Kerckhoffs is an award-winning artist whose work is recognized throughout California. Roy has been perfecting his photography and painting skills since the age of 10. He continues to amaze San Diegans with each new creation. His use of bold textures and barn wood style frames give his works a unique authenticity to the subjects.
Please Tell Us a Bit About Your Background
I was born and raised in the south of the Netherlands. Believe it or not, but in the Netherlands you can already pick a direction for your education after 6th grade. So I wanted to go to art school initially, but ended up going to a type of high school that prepares you for scientific research at a university. I graduated in 2003 from Eindhoven University of Technology with a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. That’s what brought me to the US as I pursued post-doctoral training at the University of California in San Diego. I followed my scientific career at UCSD, but in 2014 I decided to leave research and go full-time with my art business (I started selling my work already in 2008). And so here I am, living in Carlsbad with my wife and daughter, creating art.
2. What made you leave your science background to pursue your art career?
I’ve been creating art since a very young age and taking photographs since I was 10. Don't get me wrong: I loved science - still do - but the pull to create 2D visual art exceeded my interest for creating 3D computational models of the heart to predict the outcomes of therapies. In 2014 I was doing well enough selling my art and say goodbye to UCSD. It was a decision made by both my wife and I. That decision was not made by impulse as I weighed my art sales vs. my income from scientific research. When I talk to people at art shows they sometimes say what a bold move that was, but it was actually calculated.
3. What are your favorite places to paint in San Diego?
There are lots of great places in San Diego - hey, I couldn’t leave San Diego anymore as my initial plan was to go back to the Netherlands after a couple of years of research. But I love to spend time at the beach and in the ocean (snorkeling, boogie boarding, stand-up paddle boarding). But if I really had to choose at this very moment I’d say the place where I live, in Carlsbad.
https://www.roykart.com/galleries/product/612-next-time.html
4. Out of your exhibitions, which are your top 3 favorites?
The opportunity to show my work in Italy was quite remarkable: I have had my works on display at the Palazzo della Provincia di Frosinone, which was for a traveling exhibition called “California Dreaming” organized by the Oceanside Museum of Art. A special little place in my heart is reserved for Zia’s Pizza in Normal Heights and Bread and Cie in Hillcrest in San Diego. Zia’s because it was the very first business to put my work on their walls, back in 2008. At the time I also lived in Normal Heights where my wife and I have lots of good memories. Bread and Cie because it was my first large juried exhibition (and I miss going there for breakfast!).
https://www.roykart.com/galleries/product/1062-ca-bus.html
5. Who are your biggest influences?
My wife once said that there is a reason behind why you meet a certain person, any person, and no matter how short that meeting was or for how long that person was in your life. So I could mention Rembrandt van Rijn (one of the pioneers of painting light and shadows). Obviously I didn’t meet him, but we learned about him and his paintings in early elementary school. So I really should mention the 1st grade teacher who introduced me to him. The kindergarten teacher who predicted I was going to be a scientist. My parents who taught me to be kind and compassionate. My brother and sister whom I grew up with and make me laugh. My science advisors who taught me about the scientific method. My friend who took me out on a city photo session. The lady at a portfolio evaluation event who loved my black and white photographs. The owners of galleries, stores and businesses and my collectors who support my work and therefore also my family. Which brings me to my wife and daughter. Not only do they affect me in a positive way personally, but professionally they are my best critics.
6. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your passions or goals?
My number one goal is to raise my daughter to be a compassionate and strong woman. My daughter is only 10 years old, but the days are nearing when she is going to be smarter than me… A few goals actually have been accomplished lately as I and my family always wanted to go to Alaska, and we did so several months ago. There are many other places I’d still like to visit with my wife and daughter and they are not all far-away places. For example I can’t wait to share experiencing the beauty of the Grand Canyon with my daughter.
