Full Circle The Life and Works of Master Painter Karl-Heinz Meschbach Published by: Studio K Galleries Dushore, PA 18614 Copyright 2012 by Studio K Galleries Printed and Bound in the USA ISBN : 978-0-985616-0-7-64-95 96495 Library of Congress Cataloging-in Publication Data Karen Black, Studio K Galleries Full Circle Life and Works of Karl-Heinz Meschbach 1st Edition; Limited 1. Artwork 2. Biography # 1-769214781 Copyright to all artwork & personal images belong to Karl-Heinz Meschbach or Karen Black. We apologize for any omissions and would be pleased to insert th e appropriate acknowledgement or works in subsequent editions of this publication. Please contact the Publisher above and not the artist. Contact Publisher at : http://www.karensart.net/contact All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or by any other means without prior written permission from the author and publisher. Thank you, Meister Meschbach for allowing the use of your images of your work and life for this publi cation. Special thanks to people from Karl-Heinz s past who shared so many interesting stories with me. And many thanks to my husband, Clair who did not protest( too much ) the many hours it took to create this book. Dear reader, enjoy, be inspired and then paint!
Introduction...Page 5 Childhood...Page 6 Escape...Page 16 The Army Life.. Page 21 Chicago Seed Era.. Page 25 Pen & Inks.. Page 36 Early years Women.. Page 60 Women Portraits.. Page 87 Early Years Men.. Page 103 Early Landscapes.. Page 123 Abstracts & 3-D...Page 132 Erotic Art...Page 142 Escape to MN...Page 149 Flowers & more.. Page 160 Circle Pines, MN.. Page 171 More Awards.. Page 177 Zoerb Residence Page 181
Aveda Spa..... Page 187 Faux-Meister.. Page 193 Travel Teaching...Page 204 Move to Pa...Page 216 Recent Awards...Page 222 Modern Exposure...Page 226 Move to Ohio...Page 229 Recent Works: Sky...Page 232 Recent Works: People...Page 240 Recent Illusion Works...Page 255 Recent Murals...Page 26o Religious Murals Page 266 Wichita, KS Murals Page 269 Back to Berlin...Page 280 Old & New...Page 286 Final Words Page 290 References...Page 291 About the Author...Page 292
Introduction Karl- Heinz Meschbach is a modern day Master; a Maler Meister, a Master Decorative Painter. Throughout his life, Karl-Heinz has had no other vocation. If he didn't paint, he didn't eat. Painting is his craft, his trade, his life s work. From illusionary paintings on the smallest of wooden boxes to newspaper illustrations to the majestic ce ilings of a cathedral Master Karl-Heinz has created an astonishing body of works. He plied his craft to decorate homes, sanctuaries, and commercial buildings with the practiced skill and abilit y to make these structures showcases of creativity; satisfying his customers need to bring beauty and a rt into their daily lives. His wide range of skill comes from decades of work, practice and exploration into the limits of his materials. He has faded the boundaries between fine art and the world of decorative painting into a unique style and mastery that is st rictly his own. His works speak volumes, on dedication, perseverance and life. His dedication to his craft has created a legacy spanning over 50 years of service. He has authored many books, and through travel teaching has inspired and taught thousands of painters around the globe. He has received a multitude of awards as documented by the trade journals, like The Decorative Painter, Artist's Journal, The Artistic Stenciler, The Faux Finisher, The American Painting Contractor ; just to name a few. It is a worthwhile journey to fully grasp the extent of his abilities. His artwork, so unique that it is mentioned by Rhino Records, the Chicago Tribune, websites on Chicago history and many university archives on life in the 60's. His mind-bending expressions of free thinking that at one point ended in arrests for those that published it and sold it. This quiet private man with brown eyes has an illusive unpublished past. A life so full of unopened windows that one can hardl y decide which one to open first. This book brings together the old, the new, the u npublished works; artwork born from the crucible of life on two continents. Growing up in a war weary Germany after WWII to escaping from East Berlin in the dark of night to the freedom of America. Recently Karl-Heinz returned to the Berlin Chamber of Trades Master Painter School to teach classes there. The place where he first took brush in hand - he now inspires others to do so. Karl-Heinz has come full circle in his life. This book sets out to help illumin ate the circle by exposing his body of great works as well as the painter himself. A somewhat illusive an d daunting task, but one that was worth the trip. Some works have been lost; some were never documented and some have only a faded scratched snapshot as a reminder of his creativity. Full Circle documents when ever possible a work. There are more out there to discover and enjoy. Who knows? May the circle go on and on. Many thanks go to the artist, Meister Karl-Heinz Meschbach, for opening a few pages of his life for me to document. I am honored by the trust granted to me for this project. And, finally, many thanks to you, the reader. May you find inspiration and enjoyment from the story revealed in this book. Karen L. Black