David Smykal February Artist 2023
The wild and wacky world of David Smykal is host to all manner of creatures, great or small. Smykal, a St. Joseph, Michigan-based artist, creates whimsical and eclectic paintings, signs, and greeting cards that elicit a smile, if not a laugh-out-loud reaction. Smykman Primitives' creations delight and amuse those who see his work at a few local galleries or art shows throughout the state.
Smykal is not formally trained. Smykal says his love of painting began years ago when he bought a box of used acrylics, some old paintbrushes, and a few canvases at an estate sale. "I've been hooked ever since," he says.
He often depicts an array of critters – from farm animals to domestic, pampered pets bedecked in finery from boots to jewels. Horses and cows often sport fancy boots, dogs get wheels for feet, chickens and ducks get bedazzled with polka dots, and cats. Cats can be depicted as regal or as obnoxious such as a black cat in yellow Go-Go boots that looks quite pleased with his footwear choice. Smykal's creations often wear big toothy smiles, though sometimes a smirk is revealed.
His humans are displayed as fun-loving and mostly fashionable: Myrna delights in a strawberry tutu, and Esmerelda sports a pearl necklace to emphasize her elongated neck. Myriam Pegwyler wears pearls on her sweater to NOT emphasize her long neck. A bald Carlotta Sorenson wears a crow for a hat. Men don't look nearly as sophisticated but put a man in a fez, he becomes transformed. "Because fez are cool," Smykal says, who happens to sport one of his own from time to time, especially when he's feeling festive.
It's a delight to see how Smykal uses his fun-filled imagination and colorful acrylics to fashion paintings large and small. Cityscapes and garden parties display clever additions of ducks waddling by or people and poodles cavorting by the fountain.
Smykal's work is more than just people and critters in various states of fun. His much-sought-after signs are equally clever and incorporate wordplay that Smykal enjoys. "Bad Spellers Untie," and "Private Sign: Do Not Read" are just a few signs bringing a giggle. His greeting cards are designed to shock but never offend.
"I've been told that my greeting cards are in bad taste," says the tongue-in-cheek artist. "But cards aren't supposed to taste good." He leaves the beauty and/or shock to the eye of the beholder.
Smykal's canvas can be just about anything the artist uses to convey his wicked humor. A cardboard box, some old barn wood or driftwood, or an estate sale find where he repurposes old paintings.
"I like to go to estate sales and purchase paintings," says the artist who uses those finds to create his own special gift. He will insert one of his cats or a dog that looks to have wandered onto the already complete canvas. He also loves to find fancy frames and fills them with his acrylic pals.
Even better: if you're lucky enough to purchase his work online, expect a double delight as he uses the mailing box or envelope as an additional canvas. "When I ship a painting, I paint the box," he says. Two joys for the price of one and perhaps gets a laugh from the mail carrier.
"I feel that my work is a humor outlet for me," says the artist, "I sure enjoy a laugh after I've finished a painting." The chuckles and smiles from visitors seeing his work indicate Smykal is successfully doing his part to bring joy to the masses.
David Smykal can be contacted at his Facebook page or Instagram Smykman Primitives. You can also find his art at Leon & Lulu in Clawson Michigan and Wild Ginger in Saint Joseph.
David Smykal