 "Photo: Mary K. Bryant-Likens | The Spectator")
Local visual artist Joey Veltkamp has never taken an art class. In fact he has never had any form of structured art instruction, yet he has become a rising star in the Seattle art scene.
Veltkamp’s unique and original style combines intricate and delicate beauty with scenes of rugged landscapes and animals. Many of his paintings are a single color in different shades. His work has caught the eye of several better known artists in the Seattle scene, and he is organizing a show at the Seattle Art Museum.
Veltkamp, currently on a trial run for residency in the fine arts department, first became interested in making art about 10 years ago while working at a tech company. His boss gave him a gift certificate to an art supply store, and he began to experiment with painting and drawing.
Veltkamp focuses mostly on scenes taken from his life. Growing up in a western environment in Montana, his paintings often depict nature and the majestic beauty of the western landscapes. Most recently, however, he has been painting large canvases of simple household items piled closely together to give a messy yet distinct look. Something as simple as items taken from the cupboard under the sink can become inspirational to Veltkamp if arranged in the right way.
“The mundane everyday thing is what interests me,” Veltkamp says. “I like to take objects from my daily life that alone would be boring but if compiled in a cool way can come together.”
Local artist Gretchen Bennett, who has been working with Veltkamp, praises his loose, accessible style.
“He is very deliberate about his art but it comes out as being very off-hand,” Bennet says. “He approaches his art through hard work and the natural unfolding of his daily life. He takes what he knows and then takes risks off of that.”
As another local artist, Bennett recognizes the unique and strong presence Veltkamp has developed in the community. She says his authenticity and casual manner is what sets him apart and draws people’s interest. In turn, he is eager to learn from anything other artists will show him.
“I am a self-taught artist,” Veltkamp says. “I’m like a sponge. I steal ideas from other people, but I am just upfront about it if I see something I like. My peers are my biggest teachers.”
His studio on the Seattle U campus is his first work space beyond his apartment. Having this space, he says, has allowed him more time and space to experiment with new elements.
“His work has been more about observations within his life and space,” says Francisco Guerrero, fine arts professor who has been working closely with Veltkamp. “He focuses on simple things to give them more ornate and decorative imagery.”
Veltkamp is also the art curator for the New Guard, a collaboration of artists, musicians and chefs organizing interaction and recognition among artists of all types.
“The other curators and I wanted to present a chance to show off up and coming artists,” Veltkamp says. “Our only primary goal was to pick out artists that are not already celebrated but whose work we feel is interesting and unique.”
Through his work with other artists and his involvement with the New Guard, Veltkamp has been steadily gaining more recognition locally.
“It won’t be long before Joey Veltkamp blows up,” Bennett says, expressing that he is becoming one of the most widely and favorably recognized artists in the Seattle scene.
Yet Veltkamp remains humble about his status as an artist, and he is excited to continue with inspiration from life as he is experiencing it now.
“Being an artist is a self chosen path, and it’s hard, but it gives me a lot of freedom,” Veltkamp says. “It seems to me that artists get away with [a lot], so we’ll see how it turns out from here.”
Aubrey may be reached at aeyre@su-spectator.com
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