John Chehak

229800 Family Farm

229801 Business as Usual

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Canvas

Image Size 48 x 36

Image Size 48 x 36

229802 Forests

229803 Monday Vista

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Canvas

Image Size 24 x 36

Image Size 30 x 24

229804 Summer Morning

229805 Crowded Village

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Canvas

Image Size 30 x 24

Image Size 28 x 22

229806 Valley Light

229807 Town Triptych 1

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Canvas

Image Size 24 x 20

Image Size 20 x 24

229808 Town Triptych 2

229809 Town Triptych 3

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Canvas

Image Size 24 x 30

Image Size 28 x 22

Town Triptych parts 1, 2, and 3 assembled

John Chehak - artist His unique style captures the essence of his Midwestern heritage.  “He doesn't copy anyone, his style is his own.”  It is this style that he uses to express himself in images of American life scenery. John's work overflows with personal impressions based on his years of experience as a self-taught artist.  His medium is acrylic on canvas and paper.  His muted colors and distinct choice of subject matters have attracted interested collectors throughout the nation. All of his work is original, no prints, no copies. From his early childhood John could draw and paint, yet he failed to pursue an art career. “Everyone can draw can't they?” It wasn't until his late forties that he fully realized his unique artistic talents and started to develop a loyal patronage. “ I'm particularly fond of the symmetry and beauty of buildings and structures, both rural and urban.”  He has painted diverse subjects from urban New York, Chicago, and New Orleans to the sedate yet captivating elegance of rural America.  Many of his paintings emerge directly from his imagination and personal creativeness. Furthermore, John welcomes any opportunity to offer his patrons a truly personalized painting from their favorite snapshots or other images. John was born, raised, and currently lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He resides with his second wife Debbie.  They share their abode with Cyrus the obnoxious black lab and Mimi the soporific cat. John has two grown daughters, Molly and Hanni.  Debbie has three grown sons, Bill, Chris, and Tim.

229813 Good Neighbors Diptych

Acrylic on Paper

Image Sizes 4 x 13

2nd story library

229614 Solitude

Acrylic on board

Oil on Canvas

Image Size 18 x 14

Image Size 16 x 22

We have many more pieces of John's Iowa vision. Call or email for information

229206 The Old Boathouse

229667 Reds and Greens

229620 Lavender Fields

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on paper

Acrylic on Canvas

Image Size 30 x 24

Image Size 22 x 12

Image Size 16 x 16

229635 Red Barn

229641 No Basement Light

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Canvas

Image Size 10 x 17

Image Size 13 x 17

229619 Dry Docked

229193 Heading Home

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on paper

Image Size 8 x 10

Image Size 21 x 14

John gave up the bottom line for art

By Ann scroll Boyer

It took John Chehak 40 years to realize not everyone can draw like he can. It took him nearly another 10 to realize people might be interested in purchasing his art. At 48, the one-time pharmacist is embarking on a new career: that of self-employed artist.own John for more than 20 years. Still, she didn't know he was an artist until recently. "He doesn't try to copy any other artist. It's coming from within him. It's his own style. The most popular artists are the ones you can identify their style." John grew up in Cedar Rapids. His grandfather, Milo Chehak, started Paramount Pharmacies. Growing up, John wanted to be a pharmacist, too. He graduated from the University of Iowa, earning a pharmacy degree in 1973. -Until 1980, John worked as operational vice-president for the family business and also served as staff pharmacist. In 1981 two years after undergoing treatment for alcoholism, John decided to leave the pharmacy business. "I was completely addicted to alcohol," he says. "It was my food. When I got to the point of a crisis intervention, I was ready to go. I was so addicted. I could not make the move myself" Treatment saved his life, he says. "I've never had a desire to drink. I'm still somewhat obsessive. I'm still compulsive. I'm happy. I'm content I'm more serene. And I'm not employed." He's dressed In jeans and a casual shirt and turtleneck, seated in a leather chair In the home where be was raised from his early teens on. His father willed the home to him when be died in 1995. A rambunctious toddler of a black Lab bounds Into the room from time to time, mainly to tease an older, overweight Springer spaniel. A cat occasionally moves through the room, scurrying away when the Lab becomes too annoying. After such altercations, John shoos the dog outside. I remember my mistakes. I'm trying to remember my successes. painting villages, or street scenes, on stools, tables — any piece of furniture that has character. In a beautiful stone ranch with hardwood floors. John lives there with his youngest daughter, Hanni, 17, a senior at Washington, and his new wife, Debbie Taylor. He credits Debbie with encouraging him to pursue his art. "I could always draw," John says, scanning his life as be looks out at the trees changing colors In his backyard. "I would always pick up a pen or pencil and sketch or draw." But for most of adult life, John had little to do with art. He was a businessman, first in the family business, and later in businesses of his own. Through the pharmacy business, John became interested the family business, he started a computer systems house that customized computer software for businesses. He ran that through.the 1980s. John then moved his family to Mission Viejo, Calif., to work for a similar company. After three years he was ready to come back home. John was marketing and publications director at Mercy Medical Center from late 1989 until 1993. When he left Mercy, he bought a wholesale distributor which sold non-food items to convenience stores. He sold that business this year. John says he rarely dwells on the past nor does he spends much time worrying about the future. "I live today I remember my mistakes. I'm trying to remember my successes." Leaving the pharmacy business was a milestone, he says. "I always wondered if I could do anything else." Even though he started a business from scratch and made a go of it for nearly a decade, John says he doesn't view himself as being successful in business. "I made a living. I enjoyed it, but I always wanted to go on to something else." Now that something Is art. In the past six months, John has painted 80 pictures and 20 pieces of furniture"So you see I'm still compulsive," he says with a laugh. "I'm still obsessive. But I enjoy it." He paints In acrylics and describes his paintings as impressionistic. "I think it's Just expressing what I feel," he says. John get a kick out of people's reaction to his work — negative or positive. He's overwhelmed that anyone would want to buy his work. "This is not a dream of mine. I'm just developing something that I have a talent for." He trips on the word "talent" and shakes his head. "It's still hard for me to accept" He encourages people to "Just go do what you want to do. Don't be afraid of Calling. Because if you succeeded all the time, you would never know what success was."

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