James Mlaker

James Mlaker writes: "I am a self-taught digital artist, whose works are rooted in the union of photography, digital photography and computer graphics. They are constructed using multiple layers and masks; where the artistic construction process is also a reflection of individual and collective human psyches which are mired in infinitesimal layers and masks, where some co-exist in symbiotic and harmonious relationships, while others co-exist in conflicting and opposing relationships. The underlying themes of my creations are rooted in an exploration of the existential nature of the concept of Johari's Window, which is the relationship of the hidden expressed known and unknown selves with the perceived known and unknown selves, expressed through social, political, spiritual, environmental, philosophical and/or psychological themes.

"My creations tend to flow out of a strange combination of my life experiences, educational background (BA Psychology and MS Professional Counseling) and my intuitive nature. I find that everything I perceive serves to pique my interest and subsequently results capturing subtle, sometimes unusual, and highly fascinating everyday images in alternative perspectives. I am influenced by the works of Dali, Kahlo, Pollock, Escher, Picasso and Olbinski.

"I am a juried member of Artspace 2000. I have twice been invited to participate in the Biennale Internazionale dell'Arte Contemporanea (2005 and 2007) in Florence, Italy. My past exhibitions include the New York Art Festival, the DLG Gallery (Chicago, IL), MIAD Venado Tuerto 2006 Exhibition (Argentina), the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art Snap to Grid exhibition, the Art Bar (Milwaukee, WI), Sven's Café (Milwaukee, WI), and 4Art Inc Gallery (Chicago, IL). I have also participated in many juried art shows including the Waukesha West End Artists Art Crawl (Waukesha, WI), the North Beach Oasis Annual Art Festival (Racine, WI), the Milwaukee Public Market Art Fair (Milwaukee, WI), Bay View Bash (Milwaukee, WI), 3rd Ward Gallery Night Into Day (Milwaukee, WI), Funky Ferndale Art Fair (Ferndale, MI) and the South Shore Water Frolics Art Festival (Milwaukee, WI). I was the featured new artist in the Digital Abstract website for the month of April 2005, I received a third place award ("Lost in Song" - Spirit and Creative Force) in the 2005 Artists Helping Artists & Creative Line Magazine Call to Arts International Juried Art Competition (Cal Poly Downtown Center, Pomona, CA, June 25, 2005) and I received a second place award in the Mosaic Globe's 2007 Creative Community Competition. I have designed many original personalized commission pieces marketed through CAZ Designs Inc. Interior Design (Orange County, California)."

James Mlaker's AutoGallery exhibit