Stanley Kaminski
stanley.kaminski@hccs.edu http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/stanley.kaminski (or Google my name)
Stanley Kaminski is an artist who has been teaching Studio Art and Art History to adults in a college
environment since 1992. In 1994, he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana State University. In
1991, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in his home state at West Virginia University. Stanley
Kaminski has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions across the United States and internationally in
Slovenia. His artwork is in numerous museum collections, university art collections and private collections
including John Goodman in New Orleans and Citizen Kafka in New York. In 1997, his lithograph entitled Rest
Stop was chosen by Lynne Allen and Phyllis McGibbon for publication in The Best of Printmaking: An
International Collection by Quarry Books. Stanley lives in Cypress, a suburb of Houston, Texas.
Artist's Statement
“I want my artworks to give form to feelings. I select compositions, images and elements that stir my mind-set.
An old motel or storage building gives me nostalgia. A brightly colored sign creates an effect of whimsy. A
drizzly street on December 27th makes me feel the sweet sadness of another holiday gone past. A closed door
shuts me out and makes me curious about the interior. Glimpsed colors, patterns and compositions give me
sensations words cannot describe. I want my viewers to feel these things too.”
The newest series combines ever-present Texas icons and interlace straps. One may detect a theme of "man's
interconnection and binding to his times". In terms of form, this series uses overlapping that emphasizes a
layer of flat shapes and images. The silhouettes and strap holes, however, offer glimpses of a deep black
infinity behind the faćade that clings to the picture plane. Many times, the background becomes the
foreground.
Statement of Teaching Philosophy
I want to help all my students rise up and improve themselves. We’re all striving to get to the mythical “top of
the mountain”. Some are already halfway up the mountain. Some are taking their first steps. Some don’t even
see the mountain. I am here to help all my students rise up and have a better chance at the best education
possible. Education empowers people to have control, options, freedom and security.
I care about my students, teach passionately and create an active learning environment. My students respond
best this way. I get to know as much as I can about each one of my students. Students need to get to know me
before they will listen to me. I treat our studio or classroom culture as openly and as humanly as possible.
Students want a teacher who will lead and inspire them. Students want to succeed. When they can relate to
me and know that I "speak" and "do" from the heart, they cooperate and "get with the program." I believe in
hard work and in humanism. Art is a demanding endeavor and I believe I must prepare people to become
better, more self-motivated artists and students. I firmly believe that a student must have excellent foundation
training in drawing and design before advancing into any area of visual arts. My goal is to teach people to learn
how to learn and also to foster a "love of learning" and a "love of creating." I am a traditionalist in terms that I
start from the basics and build from there. Art, to me, is something that gives form to the human spirit. I always
try to teach my students to make art that does this. I am open to any representation or means to carry this out,
as long as this expression is honest and from my students' hearts. I also know that people are people and
everyone needs different stimulation at different times. A public challenge or an unexpected phone call of
encouragement or praise are examples of tactics that I will use. I am a challenging teacher, yet my students
know if they fail at something they will get another chance. This is a fundamental lesson in life. If you "screw up
- don't give up!" I believe my effectiveness as a teacher is measured by my students and that I am firstly
accountable to them. I treat any student request as if it was directly from my boss. The students are the most
important people on any campus. Students want a teacher who creates an active, passionate learning
environment and a person who cares about them. These elements define my teaching and my philosophy of
teaching.