ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Creativity has always been a source of healing and freedom in my life. I want to create art that brings freedom and healing to others. As I have found more and more freedom in my own life, I have realized the extent of slavery in this world. Slavery comes in many forms. Examples of slavery include addiction, worry, materialism, debt, and forced labor. My wife and I feel called to fight for the freedom of others not only in a spiritual way, but also in a physical way. Although, I am not a soldier with firearms, I am armed with paintbrushes and inspiration. I will create art with meaning. I will share my art and my life with others.
When you purchase my creations, you are not only investing in art, you are investing in me, and most importantly you are investing in the fight for freedom.
IVANS BIO
Ivan was born in Kenya. His paternal grandparents had immigrated to East Africa, from Europe, to get away from the Nazi invasion during World War II. Ivan’s maternal grandfather had brought his family to East Africa, from Denmark, in search of gold in 1937.
Ivan’s parents met in Kenya. They married and started a family there. Ivan grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of Kenya and the bold patterns and designs of African tribes. One of Ivan’s first artistic memories was the Magna Doodle he was given at the age of six. He was enthralled with the infinite possibilities he could create.
Due to the unstable government of Kenya, Ivan’s family could not remain there. The government seized his family’s passports. During this time, Ivan’s father, Milan Vesely, had been detained in prison on several different occasions near and within Nairobi, on the count of false charges, which were later dropped. The Kenyan Air Force attempted a military coup in 1981 and at the same time Ivan’s mother’s passport was returned without explanation. This unrest posed immediate life threatening circumstances for Ivan’s family. Ivan’s mother fled to the United States, taking Ivan and his younger sister, leaving behind Ivan’s imprisoned father, their home, and all of their possessions.
In 1982, the false charges were dropped, Milan was released from prison and reunited with his family. Ivan’s family first lived in Arizona and became U.S. citizens. They then came to Texas.
Ivan’s terrifying experiences as a child, left him anxious and confused. Ivan was 9, or 10 when he first came to the States. Adjusting to a drastically different culture was not an easy task. Ivan found ways to fit in, but not always with the right crowd.
Ivan’s artistic ability became more evident during his High School years. He was given the opportunity to take Advanced Placement Art Classes. From there, Ivan took two years of art courses at a local junior college, thus ending any formal training.
Continuing to excel in creativity, Ivan works out of his home studio. He has shown in galleries, art shows, and fine arts festivals throughout the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Ivan is determined to continue to paint and create art for the rest of his life, no matter what his circumstances are. Ivan and his wife Carrie are committed to using their creativity as a message for freedom.
