Interview with wildlife artist Michael Sydoryk
Our family loves art, and we are so blessed to have met Michael Sydoryk (www.wildformart.com) at the Calgary Stampede Western Showcase in July 2017. We commissioned him to paint a Raven for us in 2017, and then three buffalo’s in 2018. He is an amazing up and coming artist.
What motivated you to get into painting and how old were you?
I’ve always drawn, nothing serious and really nothing to completion. I had a friend come to me when I was 19 or 20 (now 27), he knew I liked to draw and asked if I could do something cool on this massive board of plywood. I was excited that someone recognized that I had some doodling skills so, I obliged. I started working on that, I’d say at 8:00 am one day, and then all the sudden, it was 8:00pm. I completely lost myself in the process. It was incredibly addicting, and satiated something in me I didn’t know I needed.
From there, I played around with different mediums and subjects. Never over thinking it and just doing what I find allows for complete consumption and dedication into the process.
I came into wild life painting quite resistantly. I assumed (ignorantly) that the wild life realm was already owned by amazing artists like Robert Bateman. But the moment I painted my first bison in 2012, I was hooked.
How would you describe your style?
I have been told it is contemporary. I’m not entirely sure if that means anything more than it is modernly influenced with little attempts to replicate styles of previous centuries.
Though, I would describe it as a highly emotional or energetic style. I go for realism in that, my proportions are accurate, and you have an immediate idea of what you are looking at. The rest comes from the aggressive, loose brush stroke and simple yet inviting color palette.
The white backgrounds are important to me as well. Superficially, I love winter. I love the beauty of the cold. Stepping outside to a seemingly more silent environment that allows focus to be drawn back inward. For the paintings, it allows you to finish the scene to complete your interpretation of the subject.
How do you come up with your ideas?
I love sharing this part. Because it is the only part that I fit the “creative” or “eclectic” artist. I will find a size of canvas that I’m just completely drawn to. From there, I just stare at it until it makes sense for what type of form should be on the canvas.
How long does a painting typically take you to do?
The most common question an artist gets I imagine. And, I think it perpetuates because no one gives a great answer.
For me, I really don’t know. I can tell you two things for sure. Small paintings take me exponentially longer than large paintings. Secondly, since I focus a lot on the ‘energy’ of what I’m painting; the moment I can’t get back into what the original or majority direction/emotion/energy that the piece entails, I step away. This may happen a few hours after I start or a few days. It also means I come back to pieces constantly. So timing is never consistent piece to piece.
Where do you think your painting will go in the future?
Each year, I try to tell a different story with my work. I normally have no idea what that dialogue will be until a few pieces into the next series. In the past, these stories have been based on experiences, but are becoming more and more creative as I progress in my career.
This year I’m transitioning into including oil paintings to allow for more connection into the energy in the pieces. I have been using solely acrylic for a few years, because of the brush strokes and consequently energy I’m able to capture. As far as subject matter, I will always stay highly motivated to paint wildlife and especially Buffalo. They mean so much to me.
You have another occupation. Tell us about that and how you plan to balance things going forward.
Yes, I am also a Chiropractor. Regardless of what you do in my life, if you can do things because you love to do them and not solely because it covers the bills, you’re doing it right. Being able to balance two things, that are so different from each other allows me to really keep that a reality.
With the creative pursuit, there is never a guarantee you will share a story others want to incorporate into their life. This can put such terrible stress on artists. How could they not start exploiting what sells?
With these two worlds, I never have to guarantee success in solely one aspect of my life. It can ebb and flow as the momentum dictates. Both careers allow for such amazing connection with others; it won’t be hard to stay motivated and balanced in the pursuit of both.
Your wife is into some interesting endeavors. Tell us about that.
Oh my gosh, here is the real story.
We talked about me balancing two things. She is balancing an incomprehensible amount at all times. She is successful in the rodeo world in barrel racing. Which anyone who knows anything about rodeo knows its long hours, longer roads and very few times do you come back with anything to show for outside of seconds of memories. She has been able to make some serious waves in the world, very quickly. It’s exciting to see where she will take it.
On top of that, her full-time job is running a business she co-owns with her best friend in Cochrane, Alberta. They started a Spin, Barre, and Yoga studio; The Study in 2016. In two years they have created an amazing space and developed an unreal community.
She does all this while helping manage the family ranch, taking care of a herd of dogs and an army of horses.
The reason I am able to do what I do is because of her support.
What brought you joy this week?
So much. But if I have to say one thing, it was being a stable boy for my wife at her rodeo finals. She killed it, came second overall with some day-wins in between. To be behind the scenes and see how she thrived in the pressure was a new side I’ve never seen!
