My Life As An Historical Artist

by Kevin Rogers

It is an unusual thing, this journey called life, especially when one gets older. Interests and tastes change, and something you had no time for in your youth becomes very important in your latter years. To me studying History at school was the most boring thing I remember from my youth, however, as time moved along, I noticed I was beginning to create my own personal history in a way. It was in the 1980s when I got the 'bug' and began searching our family history. I did this for myself but was inspired by the stories my parents told me about their youthful years.


The feminist firebrand, Frances Johnston (1864-1952)

It was not long before I began to search the history of the lives of other people and where, when, and how they lived. It was not long before I matched their stories with my art and from that point on you could say the rest is 'History'.

“I noticed I was beginning to create
my own personal history in a way”

Now in my late 60s, I have accumulated and catalogued over 1,800 historical artworks, most of which are of the pioneering days of Australia. When I see an old photo that tells a story, but it is in a bad state, I feel sympathy for it and try to bring it back to life. Once I have the image, I ensure I get permission from the owner of the copyright to create an artwork. I will not proceed if permission is not given. Before I begin the artwork, I look for the year or era the reference photograph was taken, I then search for where it was taken and if there are any other reference photographs I can study to gain more knowledge and inspiration from. The next stage is for me to turn on my music to suit the era and then sit back listening to the sounds and staring at the image…this gets me in the mood to make my first pencil stroke.


Dad Built a Plane

Before starting the artwork, I must first decide on which colours to use. Do I use full colour, grayscale or sepia tones? The mood must be right, and I must do the photograph justice and what I mean by that, is I must portray the message and atmosphere of what is happening in the photograph onto my paper so I can relay the original story.

Most old photographs depict stern-looking faces without a smile in sight. These ‘posed’ photographs do not inspire me, it is the more candid images showing daily life happening without anyone posing for the photo that attracts me. There may be an exception or two when it comes to a person ‘posing’ as in the artwork of the feminist firebrand, Frances Johnston (1864-1952). In her pose which was in the late 1800s, she can be seen showing a bit of leg, holding a beer stein, smoking a cigarette in front of a fire mantlepiece adorned with photographs of men. How risqué that was for the era! Even though the photo was ‘posed’, it still showed a reprobate in her element and was worthy of an artwork.


Porch Life Down South 1939

Not every historical artwork I complete is of people in their daily meanderings, as many depict a street scene or a rural building or setting. I do these works so the viewer can wander into the image and discover a bygone era and how wonderful it would be to experience that moment in time. When I do these drawings, I fall into myself, and the hours just disappear. When I come out of these ‘art trances,’ my back is usually aching, and I am in dire need of a double espresso.

“The mood must be right, and I
must do the photograph justice”

The joy my art brings me is primarily in keeping my mindset happy. If it is enjoyed by others, then that makes me immeasurably happier. I want my art to tell a story and if it takes people away from the madness of how cluttered society has become, if only for a moment, then I have succeeded.

I have never studied art in a college and in a way I pride myself on learning art through my instincts and directions. I am not on a quest with my art, but a joyous journey and I am always trying to peek around the corner up ahead.

KEVIN ROGERS:

Kevin was born in Queensland, Australia in the late 50s and was raised in Southport. Kevin has lived in and travelled extensively through every Australian State as well as living for six years in Malaysia. During this time, he served 20 years in the Royal Australian Air Force then owned a Graphic Design Company before retiring at age 52 to do art full-time. Kevin married Jeanette in 1980 and has two children (Twin Son and Daughter) and two grandchildren.

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