Artist Statement :
Twisted somewhere between the then and now, visions have plagued me. Art is my only antidote. Refining my skills and techniques to anatomically draw the figure, focusing on rendering with intricate detail through many media, the characters and creatures conjured reflect a relationship amongst themselves and also with their environment, often in tales of innocence, dark romance, duality, and fear. With a stroke of my brush, layer upon layer of color saturates the paint surface to illuminate the lights and deepen the shadows, capturing three-dimensional forms in a two-dimensional restraint.
Conversely through painting, I have been drawn to the world of special effects, exploring the boundaries of sculpture by applying my two-dimensional designs to three-dimensional make-up effects and prosthetics. Through this combination of visual and performing art, I can create something more than just a fixed scene or expression on canvas or stone; I create a simulation of life itself.
As the creator, I strive for perfection in realism, to continuously grow as an artist in everything that I do. Looking up to the Renaissance masters Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, and the countless others who held a standard of art that is absent from the world today, I aspire to reach the perfection of that golden age of art. Despite the familiar connotation of the word “effects,” the name “KOSART Effects” not only encompasses my alter ego of special effects, but also of all my art and everything that I am. The word “effect” means “end result” and “the extent to which something succeeds.” In a way, “KOSART Effects” is more of a promise to myself and to the world, a promise best said in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, “So much has been done. More, far more, will I achieve; treading in the footsteps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the Artist :
J. Anthony Kosar, age 24, is an award-winning artist who graduated in May 2008 with highest honors as Valedictorian of his class from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration.
Since he began creating, Kosar enjoys experimenting and working in many medias and different subject matter to always grow as an artist, believing that the moment an artist becomes comfortable in whatever they are doing, it is the moment they stop growing as an artist. Therefore, he works within multiple industries of the artistic world through his company Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
In the Fine Art world, Kosar has received many awards including the "Dong Kingman Award" at the 2009 American Watercolor Society's 142nd Annual International Exhibition in New York, NY and “Best of Show” at 24th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exhibition in 2008. Both of these awards were awarded to his painting Never Known, Never Forgotten which was one of 40 paintings selected from the American Watercolor Society Annual to tour through 7 States in their 2009-2010 Traveling Exhibition. Kosar and his fine art watercolors are featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine's December Issue in their 2009 Top Ten "Ones to Watch" feature.
Kosar began his published illustration career with a traditionally painted series of 10 black and white illustrations for Moonstone Books for the interior art for The SPIDER: Judgement Knight #1, and painted 2 comic covers for Buckaroo Banzai: Hardest of the Hard Part 1 and Part 2. One of his Spider illusrtations, The Hunt, earned him a Gold Award in the Graphic Novel / Comic Book category in Illustration West 48 by the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. Several more illustration projects are underway.
To further his growth as an artist, and because his passion for the arts began at a young age while performing on stage and painting on canvas, Kosar's duality of performing art and visual art has led him to the world of Special Effects. In 2002 at age 16, he created his first foam-latex mask, The Zombie. Since then, he has created make-up, effects, creature suits, and props for numerous plays, commercials, conventions, feature and short films, and has held several Make-up and Effects workshops throughout the Chicagoland area. During Summer 2007, Kosar interned in Hollywood at Stan Winston Studio (Jurassic Park, Predator, Aliens) working on several commercials, including Xbox’s “Halo 3: Believe” campaign, and the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and James Cameron’s major motion picture Avatar. Also, while in Hollywood, Kosar studied sculpture under acclaimed Hollywood sculptor and creature designer Jordu Schell of Schell Sculpture Studio. In 2008, Kosar sculpted his first commercially made Halloween mask for Zagone Studios, Gargoyle, and has made several more Halloween masks for Zagone’s 2009 product line. Kosar is currently working on masks for Zagone for 2010.
From Byzantine Iconography to Special Effects, J. Anthony Kosar takes his art from Saints to Monsters and everything in between, denying himself the luxury of ever being comfortable.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Awards & Honors:
2010
• "Gold Award - Graphic Novel / Comic Book Category" at Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles' "Illustration West 48."
2009
• Featured Artist for Watercolor Artist Magazine's 2009 "Ones to Watch" Feature in December 2009 Issue.
• "Dong Kingman Award" at American Watercolor Society's 142nd Annual International Exhibition.
• 1 of 40 Paintings Selected from AWS's 142nd Annual International Exhibition for 2009-2010 Travel Show.
• "First Place Award - Adult Category" at Naperville Art League's Annual Public Art Competition "On The Edge."
• "Honorable Mention" at the 2009 Illinois Watercolor Society Annual Members' Show.
2008
• “Best of Show” at 24th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition.
• Valedictorian of 2008 American Academy of Art Graduating Class.
• “Peter C. Berry Memorial Scholarship” / “Student Choice Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
• “First Place in Illustration Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
2007
• “Peter C. Berry Memorial Scholarship” / “Student Choice Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
• “First Place in Illustration Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
• “Honorable Mention” in IBHE Annual Collegiate Artists Competition.
2006
• “Best of Show / People’s Choice Award” at Lisle Woman’s Club “The Art of Lisle” Juried Art Exhibition.
• “First Place” in American Academy of Art Substance Abuse Awareness Art Contest.
• “Second Place” in Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors Chicago Costume Contest.
2005
• “First Place” in American Academy of Art Halloween Costume Contest.
• “Honorable Mention” in Fra Angelico Foundation Annual Student Art Show and Competition.
2004
• “First Place” in American Academy of Art Annual Senior Art Scholarship Competition.
• “First Place” in Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Iconography Competition.
2003
• “First Place” in Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Iconography Competition.
2002
• “First Place” in Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Iconography Competition.
2001
• “Second Place” in National Newspaper Association Annual National Literacy Day Poster Contest.
2000
• “First Place” in National Newspaper Association Annual National Literacy Day Poster Contest.
1999
• “First Place” in Illinois Computing Educators Annual Graphic Arts Competition.
1998
• “First Place” in Illinois Computing Educators Annual Graphic Arts Competition.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Exhibitions :
2010
• Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles' Illustration West 48 Show.
• 26th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition
2009
• American Watercolor Society's 142nd Annual International Exhibition & Travel Show
• Richeson 75: Small Works 2009 Competition Exhibit
• 25th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition
• Hellenic Museum & Cultural Center's "Neolaia/Pathos: New. Youth. Passion. Exhibition"
• Illinois Watercolor Society Annual Members' Show
• Norris Gallery's "Watercolor 09" Art Exhibit
• Naperville Art League's Annual Public Art Competition "On The Edge"
2008
• "Coup de Foudre" Naperville Art League October Art Show
• "A Story Told" Naperville Art League August Art Show
• "Beyond Common Ground: the Art of J. Anthony Kosar" Solo Exhibition
• American Academy of Art Bachelor of Fine Art Exhibition
• 24th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2007
• IBHE Annual Collegiate Artists Competition
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2006
• Lisle Woman’s Club “The Art of Lisle” Juried Art Exhibition
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2005
• Fra Angelico Foundation Annual Student Art Show
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2004
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
2003
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
2002
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Affiliations :
Illinois Watercolor Society - Signature Member
Chicago Greek Media Club - Member
Naperville Art League - Member
Twisted somewhere between the then and now, visions have plagued me. Art is my only antidote. Refining my skills and techniques to anatomically draw the figure, focusing on rendering with intricate detail through many media, the characters and creatures conjured reflect a relationship amongst themselves and also with their environment, often in tales of innocence, dark romance, duality, and fear. With a stroke of my brush, layer upon layer of color saturates the paint surface to illuminate the lights and deepen the shadows, capturing three-dimensional forms in a two-dimensional restraint.
Conversely through painting, I have been drawn to the world of special effects, exploring the boundaries of sculpture by applying my two-dimensional designs to three-dimensional make-up effects and prosthetics. Through this combination of visual and performing art, I can create something more than just a fixed scene or expression on canvas or stone; I create a simulation of life itself.
As the creator, I strive for perfection in realism, to continuously grow as an artist in everything that I do. Looking up to the Renaissance masters Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, and the countless others who held a standard of art that is absent from the world today, I aspire to reach the perfection of that golden age of art. Despite the familiar connotation of the word “effects,” the name “KOSART Effects” not only encompasses my alter ego of special effects, but also of all my art and everything that I am. The word “effect” means “end result” and “the extent to which something succeeds.” In a way, “KOSART Effects” is more of a promise to myself and to the world, a promise best said in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, “So much has been done. More, far more, will I achieve; treading in the footsteps already marked, I will pioneer a new way, explore unknown powers, and unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creation.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About the Artist :
J. Anthony Kosar, age 24, is an award-winning artist who graduated in May 2008 with highest honors as Valedictorian of his class from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration.
Since he began creating, Kosar enjoys experimenting and working in many medias and different subject matter to always grow as an artist, believing that the moment an artist becomes comfortable in whatever they are doing, it is the moment they stop growing as an artist. Therefore, he works within multiple industries of the artistic world through his company Kosart Effects Studios, LLC.
In the Fine Art world, Kosar has received many awards including the "Dong Kingman Award" at the 2009 American Watercolor Society's 142nd Annual International Exhibition in New York, NY and “Best of Show” at 24th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exhibition in 2008. Both of these awards were awarded to his painting Never Known, Never Forgotten which was one of 40 paintings selected from the American Watercolor Society Annual to tour through 7 States in their 2009-2010 Traveling Exhibition. Kosar and his fine art watercolors are featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine's December Issue in their 2009 Top Ten "Ones to Watch" feature.
Kosar began his published illustration career with a traditionally painted series of 10 black and white illustrations for Moonstone Books for the interior art for The SPIDER: Judgement Knight #1, and painted 2 comic covers for Buckaroo Banzai: Hardest of the Hard Part 1 and Part 2. One of his Spider illusrtations, The Hunt, earned him a Gold Award in the Graphic Novel / Comic Book category in Illustration West 48 by the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. Several more illustration projects are underway.
To further his growth as an artist, and because his passion for the arts began at a young age while performing on stage and painting on canvas, Kosar's duality of performing art and visual art has led him to the world of Special Effects. In 2002 at age 16, he created his first foam-latex mask, The Zombie. Since then, he has created make-up, effects, creature suits, and props for numerous plays, commercials, conventions, feature and short films, and has held several Make-up and Effects workshops throughout the Chicagoland area. During Summer 2007, Kosar interned in Hollywood at Stan Winston Studio (Jurassic Park, Predator, Aliens) working on several commercials, including Xbox’s “Halo 3: Believe” campaign, and the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and James Cameron’s major motion picture Avatar. Also, while in Hollywood, Kosar studied sculpture under acclaimed Hollywood sculptor and creature designer Jordu Schell of Schell Sculpture Studio. In 2008, Kosar sculpted his first commercially made Halloween mask for Zagone Studios, Gargoyle, and has made several more Halloween masks for Zagone’s 2009 product line. Kosar is currently working on masks for Zagone for 2010.
From Byzantine Iconography to Special Effects, J. Anthony Kosar takes his art from Saints to Monsters and everything in between, denying himself the luxury of ever being comfortable.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Awards & Honors:
2010
• "Gold Award - Graphic Novel / Comic Book Category" at Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles' "Illustration West 48."
2009
• Featured Artist for Watercolor Artist Magazine's 2009 "Ones to Watch" Feature in December 2009 Issue.
• "Dong Kingman Award" at American Watercolor Society's 142nd Annual International Exhibition.
• 1 of 40 Paintings Selected from AWS's 142nd Annual International Exhibition for 2009-2010 Travel Show.
• "First Place Award - Adult Category" at Naperville Art League's Annual Public Art Competition "On The Edge."
• "Honorable Mention" at the 2009 Illinois Watercolor Society Annual Members' Show.
2008
• “Best of Show” at 24th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition.
• Valedictorian of 2008 American Academy of Art Graduating Class.
• “Peter C. Berry Memorial Scholarship” / “Student Choice Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
• “First Place in Illustration Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
2007
• “Peter C. Berry Memorial Scholarship” / “Student Choice Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
• “First Place in Illustration Award” at American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition.
• “Honorable Mention” in IBHE Annual Collegiate Artists Competition.
2006
• “Best of Show / People’s Choice Award” at Lisle Woman’s Club “The Art of Lisle” Juried Art Exhibition.
• “First Place” in American Academy of Art Substance Abuse Awareness Art Contest.
• “Second Place” in Fangoria’s Weekend of Horrors Chicago Costume Contest.
2005
• “First Place” in American Academy of Art Halloween Costume Contest.
• “Honorable Mention” in Fra Angelico Foundation Annual Student Art Show and Competition.
2004
• “First Place” in American Academy of Art Annual Senior Art Scholarship Competition.
• “First Place” in Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Iconography Competition.
2003
• “First Place” in Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Iconography Competition.
2002
• “First Place” in Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Iconography Competition.
2001
• “Second Place” in National Newspaper Association Annual National Literacy Day Poster Contest.
2000
• “First Place” in National Newspaper Association Annual National Literacy Day Poster Contest.
1999
• “First Place” in Illinois Computing Educators Annual Graphic Arts Competition.
1998
• “First Place” in Illinois Computing Educators Annual Graphic Arts Competition.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Exhibitions :
2010
• Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles' Illustration West 48 Show.
• 26th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition
2009
• American Watercolor Society's 142nd Annual International Exhibition & Travel Show
• Richeson 75: Small Works 2009 Competition Exhibit
• 25th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition
• Hellenic Museum & Cultural Center's "Neolaia/Pathos: New. Youth. Passion. Exhibition"
• Illinois Watercolor Society Annual Members' Show
• Norris Gallery's "Watercolor 09" Art Exhibit
• Naperville Art League's Annual Public Art Competition "On The Edge"
2008
• "Coup de Foudre" Naperville Art League October Art Show
• "A Story Told" Naperville Art League August Art Show
• "Beyond Common Ground: the Art of J. Anthony Kosar" Solo Exhibition
• American Academy of Art Bachelor of Fine Art Exhibition
• 24th Annual Illinois Watercolor Society Open Exibition
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2007
• IBHE Annual Collegiate Artists Competition
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2006
• Lisle Woman’s Club “The Art of Lisle” Juried Art Exhibition
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2005
• Fra Angelico Foundation Annual Student Art Show
• American Academy of Art Annual Student Juried Exhibition
2004
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
2003
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
2002
• Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Affiliations :
Illinois Watercolor Society - Signature Member
Chicago Greek Media Club - Member
Naperville Art League - Member
